Labour is an emotionally and physically exhausting process, but if it lasts longer than usual, then it is not easy for both the baby and the mother-to-be. Prolonged labour is a condition in which the labour process is prolonged compared to normal, and this condition may involve possible risks and complications. Understanding the causes, classification, diagnostic procedures, and complications of prolonged labour is essential for effective management.
Prolonged labour, or non-progress, refers to labour lasting more than 20 hours in primiparous women and 14 hours in multiparous women. Prolonged labour, if not managed, can lead to fatigue, distress, and increased medical intervention.
Labour may be prolonged for several reasons including:
● Foetal Position: Longer labour if the foetus is not in the right position (e.g., breech or posterior).
● Uterine Contractions: Weak or incoordinate contractions cause a delay in cervical dilation.
● Pelvic Shape and Size: An extremely small or asymmetrical pelvis can cause a delay in the progression of the baby.
● Maternal Anxiety or Fatigue: Tiredness and anxiety may interrupt uterine contractions and slow progress.
● Medical Conditions: Gestational diabetes or infection might be one of the reasons for prolonged labour.
● Large Baby Size: An abnormal size of the baby may be having difficulty passing through the birth canal.
Depending on the part of labour affected, there are many types of prolonged labour. Types of prolonged labour are:
● Extended Latent Phase: If onset labour (before active dilation) is more than 20 hours in primigravidas and 14 hours in multigravidas.
● Extended Active Phase: If the cervical dilation rate is below 1 cm/hour, the labour is prolonged.
● Prolonged Second Stage: If the second stage of labour lasts for more than 2 hours in primigravidas or 1 hour in multigravidas, it is prolonged.
● Arrested Labour: It is a dangerous condition where labourers are completely arrested for hours without any progress.
Diagnosis of prolonged labour should be undertaken very carefully by professionals. Diagnosis for protracted labour is performed in the following manner:
● Physical Examination: Doctors ensure cervical dilation, foetal attitude, and condition of the mother.
● Electronic Foetal Monitoring: Continued monitoring of contractions and heartbeat of the baby to provide no evidence of distress.
● Ultrasound: Determines size, position of the foetus, and level of amniotic fluid.
● Pelvic Exam: Examines the maternal pelvic shape to establish whether the condition is delaying the labour.
● Overseeing Contraction: Observation of pattern contraction determines whether or not contractions are advancing labour.
The moment labour is prolonged longer than normal, several complications ensue. The complications of labour prolongation are:
● Foetal Distress: Insufficient oxygen supply may lead to irregular fetal heart rate.
● Maternal Exhaustion: Undue wear and tear on the body may lead to extreme fatigue and dehydration.
● Infections: Prolonged labour increases the risk of mother and baby infection.
● Larger Interventions Required: Emergency procedures such as forceps delivery, vacuum extraction, or caesarean section are required.
● Postpartum Haemorrhage: Inappropriate bleeding at the time of delivery due to prolonged labour pressure on the uterus.
Proper antenatal care and timely intervention can reduce the risk of prolonged labour. Hospital facilities such as Cloudnine provide end-to-end pregnancy care to track and regulate labour in a proper and timely manner. Precautions include:
● Regular Monitoring: Periodic monitoring of the infant to ensure correct positioning before labour sets in.
● Medical Interventions: Oxytocin injection to stimulate contractions if labour is strong.
● Relaxation Techniques: Stress-reducing methods, i.e., breathing and prenatal yoga, to facilitate successful labour.
● Optimal Nutrition and Fluids: Energy conservation during labour.
● Caesarean Section (if needed): In case of failure of interventions and failed labour, a caesarean section would be recommended.
Cloudnine delivers high-quality medical attention for delivery and labour so that extended labour issues are handled with precision. The hospital has:
● Trained Obstetricians: Skilled professionals who manage and direct the process of labour.
● State-of-the-Art Labour Monitoring: Sophisticated equipment to analyze foetal and maternal health.
● Individualized Birth Plans: Personalized methods for labour that value maternal and foetal safety.
● 24/7 Emergency Support: 24/7 accessibility of medical specialists to handle complications during labour.
Labour is physically and emotionally taxing, but with skilled care and immediate intervention, issues can be avoided. Cloudnine guarantees world-class maternity care to pregnant women, with a specialist team dedicated to providing the safest delivery experience. If you are concerned about the progress of labour, consult with the specialists at Cloudnine for customization and attention.
Prolonged labour is slower than normal with greater risks for mother and child, whereas normal labour occurs without any interruptions.
Although certain conditions cannot be avoided, good prenatal care, healthy living, and correct foetal positioning can avoid prolonged labour.
Weak contractions, severe fatigue, foetal distress, and slow dilation are some warning signals.
Yes, it can lead to complications like foetal distress, inadequate oxygenation, and higher risk of intervention.
Seek an urgent consultation with your physician for assessment and proper medical care.
