If giving birth wasn’t a difficult task enough for a mom, imagine the bemusement or pure horror if baby is unable to make their way out of the oven any time soon. Believe it or not, there are more than a few reasons that baby might be having difficulty making their way out of mom’s body. No, it’s not because the womb is such a cozy and safe space.
Considering the variance with different women’s bodies, not only can mom’s physiology be the reason baby and mom are both having issues, but there also some pretty unique medical conditions that could be impeding progress. The good news is that although these things happen, medical professionals typically have methods of handling the situation. Another plus is that no matter the problems baby and mom might be having, usually mom and baby will make it out okay in the end. However, it does pay to be prepared and know what to look for.
Giving birth is serious business. After making it through pregnancy, getting to the finish line and getting to meet a new tiny human is kind of a crowning achievement. Motherhood and pregnancy can be challenging, especially when life doesn’t always go according to plan.
15Your Genes Can Stop The Labor
Genetics doesn’t only determine eye color, physical build, and influence a person’s interests and preferences. Genetics also has an affect for some women regarding having babies. Yes, genetics is sometimes the reason why baby isn’t coming out of mom, as some women have a predisposition for late-term babies.
So, despite inventions like medical inductions with oxytocin, preparedness for labor and delivery, plus putting up with 9 months of a baby in an oven can be null and void thanks to genetics. If a lady’s mom, grandmother, or even grandmother typically gave birth to their baby late, chances are the same is more likely for them. Who knew that genetics could have so much influence?
If baby is taking too long to get out of mom, there is thankfully many methods of medical intervention to make sure baby comes out healthy, and mom is okay too.
14When The Umbilical Cord Comes Out First
Surprisingly, the umbilical cord is one major reason that some babies have a tough time being born safely. If the umbilical cord prolapses and comes out before baby, baby could suffer fetal distress, possible asphyxiation, or worse. Umbilical cord prolapse happens in about 1 out of every 300 births. If doctors are unable to remedy the situation in a timely fashion, baby could suffer a loss of oxygen, develop delays later in life, or be faced with a life-threatening situation.
Most babies with a pressing issue are delivered safely, despite being discovered to have the umbilical cord wrapped around their neck. It is a delicate situation adjusting a baby trying to be born, especially when baby is positioned feet first versus butt first. Either way, an umbilical cord around the neck is no good, because of the huge risks to baby’s health and safety during delivery.
13You Don't Have 'Birthing Hips'
Although some people like to think most women have ‘birthing hips,’ for some ladies this isn’t the case. When a mom has a relatively narrow pelvis, or Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), it can be a challenge for baby to be delivered normally. If mom has a small pelvis baby might get stuck in the birth canal. Mom with CPD suffer a lot more during the labor and delivery process, and most likely baby will have to be delivered via a C-section.
Diagnosing whether a mom’s pelvis is unable to handle delivering a baby through the V is hard to point until there is a problem. During labor and delivery the pelvic bones spread in order to give the baby room, but sometimes that alone is not enough. If baby gets stuck coming out, lowered oxygen rates, fetal distress, and potential birth defects and delays can occur.
12Mom Is In A Bad Position
Some people think that a mom’s position help influence a baby’s position for birth before delivery. Thanks to modern conveniences, many mom’s enjoy being more sedentary or are positioned in ways that are believed to induce poor placement of baby in the womb. When it comes to giving birth, whatever position mom is in definitely has an affect on how easily baby comes out of the womb. This is important if baby is not in the desirable occipito anterior position during the delivery process.
Typically, many moms are made to lie on their back, with feet in stirrups, and made to push on command. Surprisingly, there is more than one ideal position for a woman to give birth, which may make giving birth easier, less painful, and less hindering to baby’s exit. Poor positioning leads to difficult births, tears, and longer deliveries.
11The Baby Is Too Big To Fit Through
No, moms is not seeing things. Many babies today are actually being born at record sizes. Since obesity cases are increasing, the size of newborn babies are increasing thanks to genetics, lifestyles, and dietary choices before and during pregnancy. Despite being patient with a lengthy delivery and labor process, sometimes baby is just too big to go through mom’s birth canal, and medical intervention is needed.
Yes, it is pretty crazy, since the V and related parts are built to accommodate a baby coming out into the world. However, Mother Nature has yet to keep up with modern lifestyles, which are creating larger babies faster than ever. Don’t believe me? Some of today’s average babies are coming out of their mom weighing a minimum of 13 to 15 pounds, or even more!
10The C-Section Scar Plays A Role
Speaking of C-sections, as some women have never given birth through the V, one downside for baby getting out normally is scarring. Thanks to scars from previous C-section procedures, there might be enough damage to the tissues of the uterus, and stress on the body will manage to make it difficult for baby to leave via the V.
Usually, most women who have undergone a C-section procedure once before, typically have nearly all of their babies delivered via C-section again. Doctors don’t like risking a birth through the V afterward. Although C-section scars that are well cared for typically heal up nicely, there is still a significant risk that scar tissue on the uterus can tear during birth, increase likelihood of placenta previa, or inhibit the baby’s exit on delivery. Usually C-sections conducted with a vertical incision have more problems than horizontal ones.
9You're Induced Before The Baby Is Ready
Okay, no mom necessarily wants to hurry up and wait when the due date arrives. After getting through 9 months of pregnancy, making birth plans, and getting all the preparation for baby done, contractions happen. After making the rush to the hospital or birthing center, there’s nothing like a mom getting an induction early, just to have to hurry up and wait.
Yes, although a woman can get induced into labor, it doesn’t mean that baby and mom’s body will necessarily be ready to respond to the induction. Some women get induced way too early, before baby is ready to make an appearance. Early induction can absolutely pose some health risks and developmental problems for baby, stress and anxiety for mom, and a lot of waiting around for baby to finally make their debut.
8You Tore The First Time
Giving birth is not only physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting, but filled with risks. One reason baby might be having a problem being born, is thanks to uterine tearing. If a woman has had a C-section in the past, she may be at higher risk of having heavy scar tissue build up, in addition to having her uterus tear during delivery.
If a woman suffers uterine tearing during labor and delivery, the baby usually manages to slip into the abdominal cavity, developing fetal distress, while mom suffers hemorrhaging. It’s difficult for doctors to diagnose uterine rupture until it actually happens, Unfortunately, if the uterus manages to tear during delivery, not only will baby have a difficult time being born, but both mom and baby get placed in a life-threatening situation that needs to be remedied immediately.
7The Placenta Covers The Cervix
Sometimes baby doesn’t want to come out, not because they don’t want to, but because of medical problems like placenta previa. When the placenta, that lovely organ that supports baby’s health, doesn’t form in the right place in the uterus, complications ensue. According to sources like Parents Magazine, placenta previa occurs in about 1 out of 200 pregnancies into the third trimester.
If the cervix manages to get completely covered by the placenta, mom can suffer significant hemorrhaging if it were to break. There’s no way to prevent placenta previa, but the earlier doctors can identify that it’s a present issue, the better. In some cases, placenta previa naturally resolves itself. Usually an early C-section will help keep baby and mom healthy and safe, if baby cannot be safely delivered through the V.
6The Baby Is In The Wrong Position
If baby really wants to protest getting evicted from the womb, there’s nothing like a baby not getting into the right position to make giving birth tricky. That’s right, some baby’s are not only in the breech position for birth, but will wrap themselves up like a pretzel to the point where they are definitely going out head first. It’s one thing dealing with a baby that is feet first or butt first. Most breech births can be tackled by skilled professionals and patient moms. Sometimes baby manages to make things complicated enough, that some serious assessments have to be made about their delivery process.
I’m talking about babies pointing out their tush and one foot in a super uncomfortable awkward position, as if giving birth and dealing with epidurals, dilation, and contractions wasn’t enough for mom. Thanks baby.
5You Didn't Dilate
It’s funny, but some people might think one reason baby isn’t coming out soon enough, is simply because mom’s water didn’t break yet. This is untrue, because some babies are ‘born with a caul,’ or born still in an intact amniotic sac. It looks pretty fascinating and is a rare occurrence.
No, one reason baby might not be coming out is because mom still hasn’t managed to dilate at all. If mom’s birth canal doesn’t do it’s thing, and manage to position itself to more comfortably accommodate baby, baby isn’t going anywhere fast. There’s not path for exiting.
Unfortunately, a C-section might be the only way for baby to get out, if induction via medicines, or enough time passes without any changes on mom’s end. Not to worry, mom can get a new tattoo to cover up the bikini line scar.
4The Baby Is In Distress
Giving birth is one of the hugest moments in a mom’s life. So she definitely doesn’t want to be stressed, and definitely wants to remember to breathe. If mom is stressed out, passes out, or ends up holding her breath during labor and delivery, she might end up putting her baby into fetal distress, with an abnormal heartbeat, and lowered oxygen levels.
If a baby is discovered to be undergoing fetal distress, doctors must act fast to ensure that baby is healthy and can be delivered safely. Fetal distress can impede baby’s progress down the birth canal, cause baby to stall out in the womb, and put both baby and mom in a life-threatening situation. Sometimes if labor is induced too early, the baby can become distressed because of how mom reacts to medical induction and anxiety over delivery.
3The Placenta Breaks
If the placenta manages to break away before it is supposed to, baby is likely to miss out on oxygen and nutrients, and could possibly be born stillborn or premature if something is not done to fix things. Placental abruption can cause mom to go into shock, suffer organ failure, or even lose her life if something isn’t done to stop bleeding. Usually if a placental abruption happens, it takes place within the third trimester. However, this terrifying condition could happen any time after the 20-week mark, causing baby and mom to lose their life.
If baby’s heartbeat is being abnormal, coupled with mom suffering rapid contractions, and pain in the abdomen it’s time for a trip to the hospital pronto. Typically the only way to save baby and mom might be an early delivery. There is no way to stop placental abruption.
2Ever Heard Of Intrauterine Growth Restriction?
Even though mom does her best to eat the best food, get rest, and make her prenatal appointments, sometimes things are still beyond her control. Despite doing everything right, sometimes a baby simply does not make their milestones regarding their weight and development. When a baby is not growing at the expected rate during pregnancy, this condition is known as intrauterine growth restriction.
In fact, in many cases where a mom is diagnosed as having an unborn baby with intrauterine growth restriction, medical intervention is usually necessary to make sure baby comes out okay. Babies who are slow to grow in the womb thanks to intrauterine growth restriction have a lot of issues. These babies cannot handle the stress of delivery, might suffer lower oxygen levels, have difficulty with keeping the right body temperature, and have a lower Apgar score at birth.
1The Baby Isn't Head First
Usually during pregnancy, baby will make a transition in their position in the womb, typically adjusting themselves so that they are headfirst and bearing down on the exit point of the birth canal. When baby fails to get into position for birth, things can become difficult for mom during labor and delivery, no matter how much patience and effort she puts into things. Birthing plans have no effect on a baby, determined to not get ready to make a proper exit out of mom.
In some instances, baby can be adjusted if needed while still in the womb so that they will come out more easily. If baby can’t be adjusted, depending on how abnormal baby’s position, the length and severity of mom’s labor pains and progress, a C-section or other medical procedure might be necessary to give baby the heave ho.
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