Rapid labor - what is it?

” №4/2011 04.08.11

Of course, every woman’s dream is a quick, uncomplicated birth. But rapid labor has a second, less brilliant side.

You've probably heard from friends, acquaintances, and even doctors that some people give birth so quickly that they don't even have time to understand what's happening. Do not rush to envy and wish yourself such a quick release from the “burden of pregnancy.” In fact, rapid birth is a complication that can lead to serious injury to the mother and even a threat to the life of the baby.

Signs of rapid labor

Often rapid rapid labor can be recognized from the beginning of labor, which begins suddenly and very violently. In this state, the woman in labor is highly active, her pulse increases significantly and her blood pressure rises.

But it is possible that a weakness of labor forces was initially noted, and then (often after drug stimulation) strong contractions suddenly begin, one after the other, which contribute to a very rapid and complete dilatation of the cervix. As a result of excessively strong and frequent uterine contractions, which significantly exceed the strength of the natural resistance of the tissues of the birth canal, the fetus is quickly pushed out of the mother’s body with force, without having time to adapt to environmental conditions.

Labor is considered fast if it lasts 5-7 hours for primiparous women and 3-5 hours for multiparous women.

Causes of rapid labor

There are several reasons contributing to rapid labor:

1.Genetic predisposition. That is, if your grandmother, mother and other maternal relatives had a quick birth, then there is a high probability that your body will decide to “break the family record for quick birth.”

2. Various gynecological diseases. Any inflammation, even if it does not cause concern, must be treated!

3. The course of previous births. Frequent repeated births, as well as the rapid course of previous births, can contribute to the repetition of rapid labor.

4. Hormonal imbalances. Diseases of the endocrine glands that existed before pregnancy (for example, increased production of adrenal and thyroid hormones) include you at risk.

5. Pathologies of pregnancy. Late and severe gestosis, kidney diseases, etc.

6. State of the nervous system: psychoses, neuroses, hysteria, and simply the anxious state of a woman in labor can become another reason for rapid labor.

7. Age of the woman in labor often plays a vital role during childbirth. Thus, age under 18 and after 30 years often determines the rapid course of labor. There is no mystery in this. It's simple: before the age of 18, the nervous system is not yet ready for pregnancy and childbirth, and after 30 years, a woman, as a rule, has had more than one inflammatory disease of the pelvic organs, some chronic diseases and disorders in the functioning of internal organs.

8. Excessive stimulation of labor by medical staff. Very often, after initially weak labor, as a result of excessive drug stimulation, labor from the “weak” category abruptly moves into the “quick labor” category.

The dangers of rapid labor for mothers

For a woman, the danger of a quick birth, first of all, is the danger of damage to the soft birth canal (ruptures of the perineum, cervix, vagina), as well as the danger of uterine rupture - a complication in which the woman’s life is at stake.

Premature placental abruption is also a very common companion to rapid labor. In this case, the issue of emergency caesarean section is resolved.

The discrepancy of the pelvic bones in the area of ​​the symphysis pubis is accompanied by severe pain and requires a long immobile position (1-2 months) for complete recovery.

Complications in the last and postpartum periods of labor appear in the form of incomplete passage of the placenta and bleeding in the first 2 hours after birth.

Consequences of rapid labor for a child

Often, children born as a result of rapid labor suffer from hypoxia (lack of oxygen). This condition is very dangerous for the baby and requires immediate resuscitation measures.

Injuries to the spine, collarbone, and humerus can also be a dangerous complication in a child, because the baby does not have time to turn over after the birth of the head and is born in an oblique size.

Disorders of cerebral circulation and even death of brain cells (stroke, increased intracranial pressure) cause disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, and in severe cases they are life-threatening and cause disability.

What to do during rapid labor?

It is possible and necessary to slow down labor. If the maternity hospital medical staff suspects that the woman in labor is experiencing too much rapid labor, the birth is carried out on her side, with the introduction of special drugs that relax smooth muscles and slow down labor.

To monitor the baby's condition, CTG (cardiotocography) is used. This allows you to control the baby’s heartbeat, the strength and frequency of uterine contractions.

In some cases, for example, with premature placental abruption, the issue of performing a cesarean section is decided.

After childbirth, a thorough examination of the birth canal is carried out for the presence of ruptures to quickly and completely eliminate possible complications.

How to prevent rapid labor?

To prevent rapid labor, it is important to determine whether a pregnant woman is at risk. Particular attention is paid to women with previous pathological births. If there is a possibility of rapid labor, the woman is recommended to go to the maternity hospital in advance.

Also, in order to establish a favorable psycho-emotional mood for childbirth, pregnant women at risk are recommended to undergo psychological training with a psychologist.

Of the medicinal methods of preventing rapid labor, drugs such as no-spa, chimes, etc. are widely used. Prevention with these drugs is carried out right up to the very birth.

Don't be upset if you suddenly find yourself at risk for rapid labor. The modern level of medicine, medical staff and your positive attitude will in any case help the miracle of the birth of a healthy baby occur. Have an easy birth!

Our expert, Shestopalova Nadezhda Borisovna, obstetrician-gynecologist of the Interdistrict Perinatal Center in Tolyatti

Rapid labor is associated with disruption of the contractile activity of the uterus during childbirth. The duration of labor for primiparous women is 4-6 hours, for multiparous women it is 2-4 hours. Rapid labor is characterized by a “turbulent onset.” In this case, the first contractions are painful, prolonged and too frequent. In cases where contractions immediately cause a high degree of discomfort at intervals of 10 minutes or less, you should go to the nearest maternity hospital immediately!

Rapid birth is often accompanied by complications from both the mother (ruptures of the birth canal, premature placental abruption, bleeding in the placenta and postpartum period) and the fetus (hypoxia, cephalohematomas, injuries to the brain and spinal cord).

The period of adaptation (recovery) of the fetus after a fast and rapid birth can increase to 5-7 days, which affects the possibility of breastfeeding, the timing of vaccination and discharge. To normalize labor, doctors use drugs that relax the muscles of the uterus and slow down labor.

Normally, the duration of labor should be at least 8 hours, but no more than 12. During this time, the body of the expectant mother and child has time to prepare for a successful delivery. But when labor takes place within 2–4 hours, the mother and baby are in serious danger. Sometimes rapid labor in first-time mothers completely discourages the desire to have a second child.

Rapid labor: what is it?

Rapid labor: what is it?

In primiparous women, this anomaly in the development of labor is much less common than in those who give birth repeatedly. But they must know what rapid labor means and be prepared for it.

Childbirth is considered rapid when no more than 4 hours pass from the onset of contractions to the birth of the baby. For multiparous women, this time interval is significantly reduced. In obstetric practice, there have been cases when the duration of labor was reduced to 30–40 minutes.

Causes of rapid labor

Doctors say the main reason why a first-time mother may experience rapid labor is a genetic predisposition - a violation of the contractile activity of the uterus. But sometimes they become:

In women who have given birth repeatedly, the cause of rapid labor may be the stretching of the birth canal. This is why it is so important to do Kegel exercises during pregnancy and after childbirth. They will help strengthen the vaginal muscles and make labor easier.

Signs of rapid labor

No doctor can determine in advance whether labor will be rapid, protracted or normal. This becomes known only with the onset of labor.

A woman needs to be prepared for rapid labor if:

• contractions began suddenly (as a rule, contractions during rapid labor are not only violent, but also very painful);
• the break between contractions is short (5–10 minutes);
• blood pressure increased sharply;
• breathing and pulse increased.

Signs of rapid labor

There are many cases when women did not have time to get to the maternity hospital and obstetric care was provided to her by her husband (other relatives), friends or complete strangers. Therefore, with the onset of violent contractions, a woman in labor should immediately go to the maternity hospital. If the chosen maternity hospital is far away, then it is better to go to the nearest one.

Of course, you should never do this yourself. You need to lie down on a bed or sofa, call an ambulance and lie down and wait for the doctors to arrive. Let your family take care of the rest.

What are the dangers of rapid labor for a woman in labor?

The greatest danger to mother and child during rapid labor is premature placental abruption. This threatens the mother with uterine bleeding, and the baby with a cessation of oxygen supply as it passes through the birth canal. Sometimes this leads to removal of the uterus.

In addition, during rapid labor, a woman is at risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Due to the unpreparedness of the uterus for childbirth, the muscles cannot take their original shape (contract) for a long time.

The recovery period for a woman after a quick birth, as a rule, increases significantly. On average 5-7 days.

Rapid birth: consequences for the child

In addition to severe abruption caused by premature placental abruption, a child may receive a serious traumatic brain injury during rapid labor.

Such a birth can result in injuries to the baby’s spine, collarbone, etc.

Severe hypoxia can cause vascular spasms in the baby and... as a result, the death of brain cells. As a result, the child may die or remain permanently disabled.

How can an obstetrician-gynecologist help a woman in labor during rapid labor?

Every woman in labor dreams that prenatal contractions last as short as possible and that childbirth goes faster. But doctors seriously warn: rapid labor is not at all as good as pregnant women think. They are fraught with many dangers. Complications can occur in both the mother and the newborn.

How long should labor last?

The duration of labor pains for each woman depends on a number of factors - what type of birth it is, whether there are hereditary diseases, what physical shape the woman is in, and so on.

Typically, labor lasts from 7 to 14 hours for those who give birth for the first time, and from 5 to 12 for multiparous women. Rapid labor is a labor process that lasts 3-6 hours for first-time mothers, and 2-4 hours for those who give birth for the second and subsequent times. If the time is even shorter, then such births are called pathological. Overall, rapid and precipitate labor accounts for approximately 0.8% of all cases.

What is the danger?

During contractions, the body performs certain functions. The cervix opens, the pelvic bones are prepared, and the fetus takes the correct position. If this preparatory process is shortened, then the mother’s body does not have time to fully prepare for the expulsion of the fetus, and the child himself is pushed out under the influence of strong contractions of the uterus. Although ideally it should emerge smoothly into the world.

First signs

How do you know that labor will be rapid? There are several signs:

1. The pulse quickens, breathing becomes heavy, and overall physical activity decreases.
2. Contractions do not increase gradually; they are quite strong from the beginning of the birth process. They usually last 10 seconds and repeat every 2-3 minutes. During normal childbirth, contractions increase gradually, at first they are weak and repeat after 20-30 minutes. The interval is reduced gradually, and only when the uterus of the cervix is ​​fully dilated, contractions become frequent and strong.
3. The opposite reaction may also occur: the woman in labor is lethargic, she practically does not feel contractions, but within literally one hour they increase sharply. After 2-3 hours, the uterus begins to contract strongly and push out the fetus, which is not yet prepared to meet the outside world.

Reasons for rapid labor

Rapid labor in primiparous women and rapid labor in multiparous women have different reasons, but there are also common reasons that provoke this process. These include:

1. Heredity. If someone in the family on the female side had a quick birth, then there is a high probability that the pregnant woman will spend less time in the maternity room. It is likely that there is a congenital pathology of the uterine muscles, which leads to increased contraction.
2. Gynecological diseases. Various inflammations suffered earlier can provoke a rapid labor process. That is why doctors recommend that even before conceiving a child, you undergo examinations and rule out inflammatory and infectious diseases. If irregular periods have previously been observed, the woman has any anomalies in the structure of the uterus, there have been cases of termination of pregnancy, the risk of precipitate labor increases.
3. Age. The risk list includes very young women who have not yet turned 18, and those who have crossed the 30-year mark. In the first case, the body has not yet fully formed; the reproductive system is not quite ready for the birth of a child. Adult women already have a burdened history in the form of chronic diseases, gynecological inflammation, and so on.
4. Unfavorable course of pregnancy. If, while carrying a child, there were threats of miscarriage, high blood pressure was observed, toxicosis developed in the third trimester, or edema was observed - these factors should alert you.

It all depends on the nervous system

There is an opinion that the higher a woman’s excitability, the faster her labor will go. There is some truth in this. If there are disorders of the nervous system, if the woman in labor is too worried and is not psychologically ready for the process of giving birth to a child, this can speed up the birth process. So you should mentally tune in to a favorable outcome of childbirth and not worry about trifles.

Doctors can also induce rapid labor, the consequences of which are not always predictable. It happens that contractions are sluggish and weak, and then a decision is made to stimulate them with the help of medications. But if you do not accurately calculate the dosage, then the birth of the fetus ahead of time is guaranteed.

Danger for the mother in labor

Rapid labor, the consequences of which are difficult to predict in advance, is always considered dangerous, especially for the woman in labor. Doctors state that it is extremely rare that quick births do not carry any complications. There is a group of main risks, including:

1. Rupture of the cervix or the uterus itself. Heavy bleeding occurs that is difficult to stop. Most often, in this case, doctors resort to surgical intervention. Sometimes it is not even possible to preserve the reproductive organs, which subsequently leads to the woman’s inability to have children in the future.
2. Perineal rupture. With a quick birth, the genitals do not have time to prepare for the birth of the child. In this case, doctors will apply stitches and further treatment will be required.
3. Divergence of the pelvic bones. A fairly long period of rehabilitation will be required.
4. Placental abruption. As a rule, this process is accompanied by severe bleeding.
5. Delayed delivery of the placenta. In this case, cleaning of the uterine cavity after childbirth will be required.

Among the complications listed above, the most dangerous and life-threatening is severe bleeding. In this case, immediate assistance is required; minutes count.

Consequences for the newborn

But rapid labor is not only dangerous for the mother. The consequences for the child can also be very serious. Indeed, with normal obstetric care, when contractions increase gradually, and the mother’s body prepares for the birth of the child for the required time, the fetus takes the desired position inside the womb. He is not pushed out of the uterus, but smoothly emerges into the world.

Here are the dangers that can await a newborn in the event of rapid labor:

1. Hypoxia. The fetus does not receive enough oxygen, and this can lead to impaired brain activity and disorders in the nervous system.
2. Damage to bones in the shoulder girdle, fractures of the collarbone, and in extremely severe cases, the spine.
3. Cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral vasospasm.
4. Hemorrhage into internal organs.
5. Damage to soft tissues - bruises, abrasions.

During a normal birth, the fetus gradually moves along the birth canal and also gradually prepares for the first breath. With rapid labor, asphyxia is possible. In this case, the newborn will require forced oxygen supply.

Is it possible to insure yourself?

The option of a quick birth of a child during the first pregnancy is very rare. Most often, rapid second births occur, as well as subsequent ones. But at the same time, an experienced obstetrician-gynecologist can, even during pregnancy, put a woman at risk and assume that her contractions will proceed quickly. Therefore, if the doctor admits the possibility of such an outcome, he will try to hospitalize the woman in labor in advance. In hospital settings, doctors will be able to correct this process.

If intense contractions do begin, obstetricians recommend administering medications to reduce labor activity. You shouldn’t be afraid of this - it’s better to survive the unpleasant contractions longer, but get a healthy baby. In many cases, if a woman in labor arrives at the hospital early and is under medical supervision, complications from a rapid labor can be minimized.

Don't be nervous and take care of yourself

None of the women of childbearing age who are expecting a child are immune from rapid labor. In many cases they can be predicted, but sometimes it happens that no external manifestations were observed before the contractions. There are general recommendations that will help minimize this risk. Here are the basic rules for all pregnant women:

1. Get tested before conceiving a child. If it turns out that some diseases of the reproductive system were not cured before pregnancy, it is worth getting rid of them during the gestation period.
2. Don't worry or be nervous. The nervous system should be normal, try not to conflict and avoid hysterics. Experience only positive emotions. Severe stress can seriously damage both your health and the health of your unborn baby.
3. Avoid excessive physical activity and reduce your activity. For a pregnant woman, light exercise and short walks are enough. No weights, no dancing or active sports!
4. Timely visits to the gynecologist. The doctor will be able to immediately recognize if the pregnancy has begun to proceed with disturbances. This will allow you to correct the process of bearing a child and help the mother’s body in the early stages.

Don't be afraid of anything, expect the best

Suspicious readers will immediately discover all the signs that a rapid birth will occur for them. You shouldn’t do this, because according to statistics, only one woman in a hundred will be at risk of this.

At the same time, quick births often end happily. Not everyone experiences complications. Therefore, you should relax, read positive books and listen to good music, be in warm company and get rid of negativity. And if something worries you during pregnancy, it is better to discuss all this with your doctor.

Many pregnant women, somewhere deep down, would like the birth to go as quickly as possible. Fear of pain overcomes most expectant mothers, so this is normal. Here you need to set yourself up correctly and understand that any pain during childbirth is compatible with life, moreover, it is necessary for its physiological course. It all depends only on your understanding and willingness to help your child overcome this path as easily as possible.

Normally, the entire labor process takes an average of 10 hours (usually less for multiparous women). Agree, not so much, considering the reward waiting at the end. However, it often happens that everything happens much faster. Should we be happy about this or should we be afraid?

What are the dangers of rapid labor?

Labor lasting 6 hours or less is called rapid, and labor lasting 4 hours or less is called rapid. For multiparous women, these limits are reduced by another 2 hours: that is, rapid labor takes less than 4 hours, and rapid labor takes less than 2. Doctors call such a birth pathological, and should try to slow down the process if it occurs quickly, because it threatens the mother and child. certain danger.

It is not for nothing that nature provides that a child is not born in an instant. This is a lot of stress for the baby, and he should prepare for his first breath. The biggest obstacle on the way to this world is the hard pelvic bones, through which a small head and then a body must squeeze through without damage. The baby moves along the birth canal with forward movements: two in front - one back. The soft bones of the skull bend, “trying” to pass obstacles without injury. In the case of rapid labor, there is no time for such caution. Therefore, the greatest possible danger is possible cranial injuries to the newborn.

It is not much easier for the woman in labor: in normal childbirth, the pelvic bones and muscle tissue expand gradually, but in the case of rapid labor there is a high risk of severe ruptures and cracks.

In addition, the child may experience a lack of oxygen, which sometimes ends tragically. This occurs when the normally located placenta departs prematurely, as a result of which the supply of vital substances to the fetus is stopped prematurely. Intrauterine bleeding occurs (which, in general, is quite dangerous for a woman). In the postpartum period, prolonged bleeding is also possible.

What should doctors do?

It is very important to get to the hospital on time. Here, trained medical personnel must act quickly and harmoniously - everything is calmer than alone. If it has been established that labor is actually proceeding rapidly, it is stopped a little by medication, trying to ensure that the course of events is close to natural.

In this case, the child is constantly monitored (cardiac monitoring). Most often, a woman is asked to take a position lying on her side. It is simply ideal if a woman in labor is trained in proper breathing techniques that help stop pushing, and in psychological and muscle relaxation techniques.

But sometimes it becomes necessary to perform a caesarean section. The absolute indication for surgical delivery in the rapid course of the process is premature detachment of a normally located placenta, intrauterine bleeding caused by this condition.

How to recognize rapid labor

Only the process of expelling the child can proceed quickly, and all previous stages can develop as expected - within 8-12 hours. But it may also happen that the entire birth process will take no more than a couple of hours. In this case, everything begins suddenly and passes very intensely, contractions immediately become very pronounced: painful and continuously recurring, which leads to the rapid full dilatation of the cervix. Also the attempts: powerful, strong, difficult to restrain. At the same time, the mother's blood pressure increases, breathing and pulse increase. It happens that a child is born after the first or second attempt. The women say they didn’t even have time to understand what happened. Many times, mothers who have given birth can “get over it” in a few minutes.

Don't be afraid, but be prepared

Dear mothers, the purpose of this article is purely informational. This is just a warning about what could happen if labor progresses quickly. But it is not at all necessary that they be accompanied by complications. Many women give birth to healthy babies in 2 hours and feel just great! Everything is always purely individual, but, as they say, being informed means being armed. If your doctor suggests that you go to the hospital early due to the existing risk of rapid labor, then it makes sense to follow his advice.

Let gynecologists not consider this incorrect, but I would advise you to find a good doctor in advance and agree on everything with him. Unfortunately, we are increasingly becoming disappointed in the responsibility and professionalism of our doctors, including obstetricians. And this is a matter that is not to be trifled with. Rapid childbirth is convenient for many such “luminaries”. So it is better to find a doctor in advance whom you will trust. If, during the process of childbirth, you realize that things have gone faster than expected, and there is no need to wait for qualified, adequate help, then concentrate on yourself and the child: now the most important thing is you. Try to relax, breathe shallowly and quickly (“like a dog”), avoiding deep breaths, in order to delay pushing as much as possible. And remember: many give birth quickly and safely!

Causes of rapid labor

Disturbances during rapid labor are associated primarily with pathology of the uterine muscles. As a rule, it is congenital, so the predisposition can be identified during labor in the mother and grandmother of the woman in labor.

A woman’s gynecological diseases or complications during pregnancy (toxicosis, kidney diseases, metabolic and work disorders) can provoke rapid labor. Psychological unpreparedness of the expectant mother for childbirth can also cause the development of overly active labor.

The risk group includes very young (under 18 years old) and late in pregnancy from the point of view of nature (after 30 years old) first-time mothers. But this does not mean at all that if you are included in any of the described categories of pregnant women, you will certainly have a rapid labor - not at all. With a very high probability, a rapid delivery can be assumed only in the case of rapid labor in the past: almost always, each subsequent birth proceeds faster than the previous one.

We must not lose sight of the fact that rapid labor can be caused by the wrong tactics of medical personnel, and more specifically, by the unreasonable or excessive administration of birth-stimulating drugs.

How to prevent

Actually, the answer to this question has already been stated above. If you are at risk for rapid delivery, then go to the hospital in advance. Perhaps the doctor will prescribe you medication to prevent rapid labor: antispasmodics that relax the uterine muscles (for example, No-shpu), drugs that improve uteroplacental blood circulation (Trental, Curantil).

Ask your mom how long labor took for her and her mom. Monitor your rest schedule, diet, and most importantly, your psycho-emotional state.

Ask your doctor to teach you what to do if labor suddenly progresses very quickly. Learn breathing and muscle relaxation techniques and look at everything positively. In the end, childbirth is the only way to the long-awaited meeting with the baby. May they pass safely and be happy!

Especially for- Elena Kichak

In this article:

Probably every expectant mother dreams of a quick birth.

Prolonged contractions, accompanied by severe pain, make few people happy. And how enviable it is to hear from friends that they “suffered themselves out” in a couple of hours. But rapid childbirth is not a reason for joy, but for concern.

Let's look at why the rapid birth of a baby is dangerous.

What is rapid labor?

Rapid labor refers to the labor process, which lasts 3-6 hours for primiparous women and 2-4 hours for multiparous women. During this time, the body does not have time to prepare for the birth of the baby, the cervix and perineum are poorly opened, the bones are not prepared, despite the full dilation of the cervix. In addition, the fetus itself cannot take the correct position in such a short time, and under the influence of strong uterine contractions it is literally pushed out into the light, instead of a smooth appearance.

Rapid childbirth almost always carries danger and can lead to very sad consequences for both mother and child. But thanks to modern medicine and knowledge about the signs and causes of rapid labor, complications can be avoided.

Signs of rapid labor

It is not difficult to recognize rapid labor - it begins quickly, literally catching the woman by surprise. Her pulse quickens, her breathing becomes erratic and heavy, and her activity decreases. Contractions are strong from the very beginning, last 10 seconds and repeat every 2-3 minutes. Note that during normal childbirth, the first contractions are practically painless and are repeated at intervals of 20-30 minutes. Then the interval shortens and only by the time the cervix is ​​fully dilated they become strong and frequent.

There are also opposite signs of rapid labor - at first there is sluggishness of labor forces, contractions are painless and not intense. But within an hour they increase, become frequent and painful. After another 2-3 hours, the uterus, under strong contractions, begins to push out the fetus, which is not yet ready to meet the environment.

Why do rapid births occur?

Rapid labor, as a rule, is a consequence of pathology in a woman’s body. Quite rarely, a child is born faster than expected for no apparent reason.

Causes of rapid labor:

1. Predisposition at the genetic level. If a woman in her family has a quick birth, then there is a high probability that she will see her baby ahead of schedule.
2. Gynecological diseases. Any, even minor, inflammation of the reproductive organs can lead to rapid labor. For this reason, it is recommended to undergo a full examination and treatment before planning a pregnancy.
3. Age of the woman in labor. Women under 18 and over 30 years of age are at risk for precipitated labor. In young women giving birth, the reproductive system is not fully developed and is not yet ready to bear and give birth to a child. Adult women usually have chronic or treated diseases or abortions, which negatively affects the functioning of the body.
4. Pathology of gestation. Frequent threats of interruption, late toxicosis, high blood pressure, swelling - all this does not go away without leaving a trace.
5. Disorders in the nervous system. Excessive excitability and nervousness can cause rapid labor.
6. Overstimulation. If obstetricians administer too many drugs at the onset of labor to induce labor, rapid delivery of the fetus is likely.
7. Pathology of organs. The absence of a fallopian tube, ovary and other pathologies of the reproductive system can affect the birth process.

Why is rapid labor dangerous for a mother?

A faster birth is dangerous, first of all, for the mother. In rare cases, the rapid appearance of a baby leaves no consequences. So, Let's look at the main risks associated with rapid childbirth:

• Severe bleeding associated with rupture of the uterus and cervix. In this case, childbirth ends with surgery. Sometimes it is not possible to save organs, which leads to infertility of the woman.
• Rupture of the perineum, if the genitals have not had time to prepare for the birth of the child, then the cervix and external organs suffer. This is probably the most “pleasant” consequence, since it only requires stitches and further care.
• Divergence of the pelvic bones.
• Placental abruption, accompanied by severe bleeding.
• Retained placenta, which requires cleaning after birth.

Severe bleeding poses a particular danger to a woman’s life. If timely assistance is not provided, the consequences can be very tragic.

Is the child suffering?

The child suffers no less than the mother from rapid labor. The consequences for the fetus may be as follows:

• Oxygen starvation, which leads to disruption of brain and nervous activity.
• Damage to bones and spine.
• Brain hemorrhage.
• Intraorgan hemorrhages.

In addition to the listed consequences, the child suffers from a sudden change in atmosphere. Gradually moving along the birth canal, the fetus prepares for a new environment where it will need to take its first breath. Rapid labor can lead to asphyxia, when the baby requires oxygen supply from special equipment.

How to prevent rapid labor?

Even during pregnancy, specialists can see a woman’s predisposition to rapid childbirth. In this case, the expectant mother is hospitalized ahead of schedule and the preparation of the organs is monitored.

If it was not possible to determine the predisposition in advance, then with the first intense contractions, drugs are administered to reduce labor activity. A woman should be under the strict supervision of doctors, ready to make a quick and correct decision to reduce the risk of consequences of a rapid birth.

Unfortunately, no one is immune from rapid birth. And in order to at least slightly reduce the likelihood of the rapid birth of a child, Several rules must be followed:

• Do not neglect diseases - if they are not cured before pregnancy, then you should not refuse treatment during pregnancy.
• Don’t be nervous - healthy nerves, the absence of psychosis and other mental disorders are the key to the health of the unborn baby.
• Giving up physical activity - walking in the fresh air and gymnastics for pregnant women will be quite enough. Expectant mothers need to give up active sports for the sake of the baby’s health.
• Visit a gynecologist in a timely manner - careful monitoring of the condition of the child and the expectant mother will allow you to avoid the negative consequences that a rapid birth will incur.

But you shouldn’t stress yourself out in advance and think about the likelihood of a rapid birth. Fortunately, they occur in 1 in 100 cases, and the consequences are even less common. Therefore, relax, unwind, listen to pleasant music and tune in to a good end to your pregnancy, leaving no room for negative thoughts.

Useful video about what rapid labor is