©Pregnancy bliss 2008
Abnormal Labor
Abnormal labor refers to a situation in labor when things depart from the expected path. Labor does not always proceed according to expectations. Moreover, in the majority of instances, the difficulties are neither predicted nor anticipated.
In normal labor, there is a latent phase, in most cases short; characterized by abdominal discomfort, low backache and irregular tightening. The tightenings get progressively stronger and more painful. This experience varies widely.
Once labor is established, the principal guiding parameters of progress are the dilatation of the cervix and the descent of the baby's leading part, usually the head, into the pelvis.
The first stage concludes once the cervix dilates to its maximum (10 cm). Here, the second stage commences. This stage, which should be much shorter than the first, includes maternal efforts for the first time, in the form of pushing and actual delivery. There is, of course, the third stage of labor, which is concluded by delivery of the placenta (afterbirth).
As anyone can envisage, there are many things that can potentially go wrong to turn a routine labor process abnormal. The uterus may not contract effectively, making labor abnormally long; it may contract too vigorously, causing fetal distress; the cervix may fail to open beyond a certain point; or the leading part may not descend beyond a certain level in the pelvis effectively arresting labor. Many other things can go wrong, as we shall see shortly.
For many of these problems, remedial measures are available. For some, labor may have to be abandoned, resorting to cesarean section. One thing is certain: Once labor is established, delivery is inevitable.
However, as a golden rule, nobody can be guaranteed a vaginal delivery at the onset of labor. Every labor can potentially go wrong. Between 10 and 30 per cent of all pregnancies are delivered by cesarean section. Only half of these are planned (elective); the rest are emergencies, mostly because of problems in labor, a majority of these unforeseen.
What amounts to abnormal labor
To understand what is meant by the term "abnormal labor", we have to be clear as to what normal labor is. Normal labor is described as a process of labor which lasts for an optimum length of time, neither too long nor too short, passes without causing undue distress to the mother, and the baby is delivered in good condition. Any departure from this can be termed an abnormal labor.
Why too rapid a labor is classified as abnormal
Extremely rapid labor is potentially dangerous. This is because it can lead to injury to the baby because of its rapid passage through the birth canal. The injuries, especially to the brain; can be quite serious.
Very rapid labor (also termed "precipitate labor") may also lead to heavy, even dangerous bleeding after delivery (postpartum hemorrhage or PPH).
There is also the fact that the labor may start when the mother is not in hospital, not even at home. She may therefore have no help, a potentially dangerous scenario. Rapid labor may also cause injuries to the birth canal.
Nasty tears to the vagina and perineum have been known to result from precipitate labor.