From morning sickness to indigestion, bladder and bowel changes, headache and heartburn, pregnancy can be a period of tumult for some women. And when the time to deliver comes, you’ll have all the reasons in the world to celebrate. And you can’t wait to hold your little bundle of joy in your arm.
One of the complications mothers experience during delivery is prolonged labor. Also known as failure to progress, prolonged labor occurs when labor lasts for more than 20 hours for a first-time mother or 14 hours for a mother who has previously given birth. As you can imagine, prolonged labor can be physically and emotionally exhausting.
Prolonged labor can also cause the following complications for the baby:
Oxygen deprivation
Prolonged labor is one of the major causes of oxygen deprivation or Asphyxia. This can result in stillbirth. However, if the baby survives, it can sustain serious brain damage. Asphyxia can also lead to developmental, neurologic, physical and mental growth challenges. Even a few minutes of oxygen deprivation can lead to serious injuries to the infant.
Musculoskeletal injuries
When the baby is lying in an unusual or awkward position while entering the birth canal, labor may prolong. An incorrect infant position during birth can pose serious danger both to the mother and the child. If the situation is not remedied in time, the infant may suffer a musculoskeletal injury like brachial plexus palsy.
Pursuing damages due to prolonged labor injuries
Prolonged labor can be triggered by a variety of factors. However, if the healthcare provider fails to intervene in time, resulting in injury to the mother and baby, they may be held accountable. If you or your baby sustains injuries that are attributable to the healthcare provider’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation through a birth injury lawsuit.