Complications During Birth
Insufficient Power or Improper Contractions
Sufficient power and coordinated contractions are essential for a smooth uncomplicated labor. When the power of the contractions are weak or the pattern of contractions disorganized, the mother is more likely to become exhausted. This can cause fetal distress resulting in fetal harm and/or c-section. The following are causes of insufficient power or improper contractions:
- disordered uterine action
- colicky uterus
- constriction ring - Bandl's ring
- rigid cervix
- edematous cervix
- annular detachment
Passage Obstruction
Passage way obstructions (pelvic, uterine, cervix, etc.) can complicate the birthing process. These include:
- tumors
- cysts
- fractures
- subluxations
- flat male-like pelvis (android)
- physiological changes (degenerative joint disease, tuberculosis, rickets, osteomalacia)
Baby Malpositions
Malpositioning of the fetus can lead to abnormal birth presentations. Some of the more common malpositioned birth presentations include:
Upside Down Presentation -
This presentation occurs in approximately 13% of births and involves a presentation where the baby presents in an "upside down" or "sunny side up" position. If the baby does not turn to the proper position or turns late, the newborn will generally develop "cone head". This position also produces what is known as "back labor". This can be significantly reduced in women who receive regular chiropractic care during their pregnancy.
Breech Presentation -
In a breech presentation, the feet or buttock present first as opposed to the head. This presentation occurs in about 1 out of every 40 births. Possible complications can be serious and include:
Face Presentation -
Face presentation occurs approximately every 3,000 births. In this presentation, the baby presents face first with the neck in extension. Causes include a lax uterus, flat pelvis, multiple fetus, anencephaly, or neck spasms of the fetus. This is stressful on the cervical spine and usually results in a cervical subluxation in the newborn. Chiropractic care by a chiropractor trained in adjusting newborns is crucial for the continued proper growth of the spine.
Shoulder Presentation -
The shoulder presentation occurs in every 200-300 births and involves a "shoulder first" delivery. The causes include:
Upside Down Presentation -
This presentation occurs in approximately 13% of births and involves a presentation where the baby presents in an "upside down" or "sunny side up" position. If the baby does not turn to the proper position or turns late, the newborn will generally develop "cone head". This position also produces what is known as "back labor". This can be significantly reduced in women who receive regular chiropractic care during their pregnancy.
Breech Presentation -
In a breech presentation, the feet or buttock present first as opposed to the head. This presentation occurs in about 1 out of every 40 births. Possible complications can be serious and include:
- intracranial bleeding
- neck dislocation
- shoulder dislocation
- hip dislocation
- clavicle fracture
- internal organ disruption
- genital edema
- premature placental rupture
- prolapsed cord
- uterine rupture
Face Presentation -
Face presentation occurs approximately every 3,000 births. In this presentation, the baby presents face first with the neck in extension. Causes include a lax uterus, flat pelvis, multiple fetus, anencephaly, or neck spasms of the fetus. This is stressful on the cervical spine and usually results in a cervical subluxation in the newborn. Chiropractic care by a chiropractor trained in adjusting newborns is crucial for the continued proper growth of the spine.
Shoulder Presentation -
The shoulder presentation occurs in every 200-300 births and involves a "shoulder first" delivery. The causes include:
- twin birth
- hydramnios - excess of amniotic fluid
- placenta praevia - part of the uterus presents before the fetus due to placental malposition
- multiparity - a women who has had 3 or more children
- sub-septae uterus
- unusual fetal shape
- undue mobility of the pelvis
Forceps Delivery
In the event there is fetal or mother distress, or the labor is not going as planned, forceps assistance may be used. As forceps can cause a number of problems, forceps should only be used in absolutely necessary situations. The following injuries can result from improper/inappropriate forceps use:
- skull fractures
- birth marks
- doctor-induced torticollis
- brachial plexus damage
Cesarean Section
Although c-sections were becoming very popular a short while back, experts now recommend avoiding this procedure unless the mother or fetus are in extreme distress. This is due to the invasiveness of the procedure and unnecessary stresses placed on the baby. The indications for cesareans are:
- placenta praevia - part of the uterus presents before the fetus due to placental malposition
- fetal distress
- maternal distress
- failure for labor to progress
