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Giving birth can be a daunting experience for any woman. Whether it is your first time to give birth or you're basically a pro, the complications that can arise may be different from one labor and delivery to the next. Everyone will have a different birth story, and the complications that you could encounter may seem scary, but the joy you'll experience after it's all said and done will make it worth it. These nine problems that can happen during birth seem shocking, but are actually normal are just a few things you might encounter when it comes time to meet your new baby.
In order to ease fears when it comes to understanding these issues that might arise during birth, Jenn Simms, a doula practicing in Austin, Texas, tells Romper that preparation is key. "I always suggest to do your research and look at all of your options. Get a plan that works for you and your birth partner and stick to your plan as long as it's medically safe," she says. Her most vital piece of advice for birth — "Listen to your body because no one knows what you're feeling but you."
If you are worried about pooping on the table, experiencing a perineal tear, or pushing for hours on end, you can rest assured knowing that you are in good company with the many women who also experience these totally normal (albeit, scary) birth issues.
6
Baby Is Malpositioned
"Breech births are actually becoming way more common and there are actually three different types of breech positions," Simms says. According to the ACOG, approximately 3 to 4% of all full-term births will have breech presentation.
Even though malpositioning may be common, Simms tells Romper that "there are also non-invasive ways to get baby to move down and in the right position" so it is important to understand and explore your options with your birthing team if your baby is malpositioned.
7
Failure To Progress
A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that a woman who is termed with stalled labor or failure to progress has labored for more than 20 hours. The study also reports that stalled labor is responsible for approximately one-third of all cesarean deliveries. Having labored for nearly 21 hours with my oldest son and having an emergency C-section in hour 22, I suppose I am one of the one-third accounted for in the study. This complication, although rough to experience first-hand, is common.
8
Perineal Tearing
According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, between 53 and 79 percent of vaginal births will experience some degree of perineal laceration. "Perineal tearing is sometimes not preventable, but there are measures you can take to help," Simms says. "You can use oil and do stretches with yours and your partner's fingers. Oil and warm cloths during pushing also help."
9
Rapid Labor
According to an article in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, a rapid labor is defined as a labor which lasts less than three hours from the start of contractions to the delivery of the placenta, and it can happen, but that doesn't mean that you won't make it to the hospital in time or that you're doomed to have your baby in your car. "The first birth I attended lasted only 28 minutes from the start of active labor to the baby arriving. It was so fast that the placenta didn't detach, so she was given Pitocin to get it to come out after birth," Simms says.
Experts:
Megan Davidson, Brooklyn-based doula and author of the book Your Birth Plan
Studies referenced:
Pan PH, Bogard TD, Owen MD. (2004) Incidence and characteristics of failures in obstetric neuraxial analgesia and anesthesia: a retrospective analysis of 19,259 deliveries. International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15477051.
Shunji, S. (2015) Clinical Significance of Precipitous Labor. Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4285060/.
Editor's note: This post has been updated from its original version
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