| Gorovitz & Borten, P.C. Attorneys at Law 400-1 Totten Pond Road Waltham, Massachusetts 02451 Tel: (781) 890-9095 |
| Abnormal Labor |
Abnormal labor is any interference with the normal progression of labor resulting
in the delivery of a normal healthy baby. Normal labor is the gradual progression
starting with uterine contractions, full cervical dilatation and gradual descent of
the baby through the birth canal. Labor is divided into three stages: First stage,
second stage and third stage. The first stage of labor starts with uterine
contractions and finishes when the cervix is fully dilated; the second stage of
labor is the period of time between the full cervical dilatation and the delivery of
the infant; and the third stage of labor is the period of time between the delivery
of the baby and the delivery of the placenta. All three stages can range from
normal to degrees of abnormalities which, if left untreated, can result in tragic
consequences to the mother and baby.
Labor Abnormalities
o Protracted cervical dilatation
o Arrest of cervical dilatation
o Prolonged deceleration phase
o Arrest of descent
o Postpartum hemorrhage
The first stage of labor can be further subdivided into a latent phase of labor
and an active phase of labor. The latent phase start with the onset of uterine
contractions with minimal or no cervical dilatation at all. The active phase of
labor begins with the upswing of cervical dilatation that culminates in full
dilatation absent an abnormality such as a protracted cervical dilatation or an
arrest of cervical dilatation.
A prolonged latent phase defined as more than 20 hours in a nulliparous woman
(first delivery) and more than 14 hours in a multiparous woman (previously
delivered a child or children) before entering the active phase of dilatation is not
a very serious problem. Sometimes, the prolongation of the latent phase can be
due to excessive narcotic analgesia or sedation; correction of this excess is
sufficient to resolve the problem. Prolonged latent phase is generally treated
with therapeutic rest (morphine is the drug of choice) to allow the pregnant
woman gain some sleep. Approximately 85% of women given a therapeutic rest
for a prolonged latent phase will wake up in active labor and proceed to
delivery. Approximately 10% will wake up and have no more uterine contractions
and be discharged with a retrospective diagnosis of false labor. Only 5% of
women will wake up following a therapeutic rest and continue with ineffectual
uterine contractility.
A protracted active phase of labor has serious clinical implications because the
mother and infant are at risk. In approximately one third (1/3) of woman
experiencing a protracted disorder the cause can be attributed to cephalopelvic
disproportion (the dimensions of the baby’s head are larger than the dimensions
of the mother’s pelvis). Vaginal delivery in a woman with cephalopelvic
disproportion is associated with an increased occurrence of morbidity and
mortality. Neurologic and developmental problems are common in particular
when operative vaginal delivery is attempted (forceps). If vaginal delivery is
attempted, it should be spontaneous and whenever possible free from analgesic
and/or anesthetic drugs.
Abnormalities of the first stage of labor (protraction disorder and arrest of
dilatation) require close fetal heart rate monitoring. If progress is slow but
continuous (protracted cervical dilatation) observation and fetal monitoring is
essential. Progress no matter how slow it is can be acceptable if such progress
is not made at the expense of the baby’s descent as a result of unusual head
molding and fetal heart rate remains within normal range. When fetal head
deformation occurs, there is no real progress of labor and the risk of intracranial
damage to the infant increases dramatically. Arrest of cervical dilatation that
results from cephalopelvic disproportion requires that a cesarean section be
performed sooner rather than later to prevent additional trauma to the fetus
without any appreciable gain.
A prolonged deceleration phase is the last portion of the active phase of the first
stage of labor. It is considered to be abnormal if it last more than three (3) hours
in a nulliparous woman or more than one (1) hour in a multiparous woman. A
prolongation of the deceleration phase is caused by the same factors causing
an arrest of dilatation; namely cephalopelvic disproportion. The treatment is
similar: accomplishing immediate delivery by cesarean section. Active fetal
descent of the presenting part should begin at the latest during the deceleration
phase. Failure of descent to begin at this time points to a serious problem,
namely cephalopelvic disproportion.
Abnormalities of the second stage of labor (protraction disorder and arrest of
descent) mainly relate to the progressive descent of the presenting part. Arrest
of dilatation is diagnosed by the failure to document descent of the presenting
part in two successive vaginal examinations one hour apart from each other.
True descent occurs when the presenting part is lower in the birth canal not
accompanied by excessive molding or caput. It is essential to rule out
cephalopelvic disproportion before allowing labor to continue. When protracted
descent is slow and continuous, cephalopelvic disproportion must be ruled out
before allowing labor to continue. Close fetal monitoring must be continuous and
operative vaginal delivery by forceps avoided. Perinatal morbidity (long term
neurologic and developmental problems) and mortality (fetal death) are greater
in deliveries following a protracted disorder of labor.
Abnormalities of the third stage of labor (retained placenta, postpartum
hemorrhage) are related to difficulties associated with the uterus and placenta.
In the majority of deliveries (80%) the placenta is expulsed within 10 minutes
following the delivery of the baby. A third stage that lasts more than 30 minutes
can be due to multiple pregnancies, overdistended uterus, uterine atony or
uterine defects. Rarely, a placenta accrete may require emergency surgery.
Uterine atony (failure of the uterus to contract) can cause severe and life
threatening postpartum hemorrhage. Factors that increase the risk for
postpartum hemorrhage include: multiple gestation, hydramnios, large baby
(macrosomia), precipitate or prolonged labor. Precautionary measures and
immediate treatment must be instituted in the event of a postpartum hemorrhage
to minimize maternal morbidity and mortality.
Labor abnormalities are usually described as failure to progress or slow labor. A
medical provider (physician or nurse midwife) should be able to recognize a
labor abnormality and take the necessary steps to manage these disorders
without exposing the fetus or the mother to increased risk of morbidity and/or
mortality. A mismanaged labor can result in serious long term problems and life-
long complications for the fetus (cerebral palsy, developmental delay, Erb’s
palsy) and the mother (uterine rupture, postpartum hemorrhage).
Medical providers (physician, nurse midwife) are responsible for the diagnosis
and management of complications that arise during the three stages of labor. If
you believe that you, your child or your loved one have been misdiagnosed, are
victims of a mismanaged labor or wrongly treated and suspect your child’s
complications may be the result of a medical provider’s error that was
diagnosable, avoidable and/or preventable, you may have a valid cause of
action. The injury may be the result of a medical provider's mistake in handling
your condition and the result of medical negligence. Dr. Borten has over 35
years of experience as an obstetrician and gynecologic surgeon to fully
evaluate the merits of your potential case. Allow the Boston area medical
malpractice attorneys at Gorovitz & Borten help you assert your rights and get
the compensation you deserve.
in the delivery of a normal healthy baby. Normal labor is the gradual progression
starting with uterine contractions, full cervical dilatation and gradual descent of
the baby through the birth canal. Labor is divided into three stages: First stage,
second stage and third stage. The first stage of labor starts with uterine
contractions and finishes when the cervix is fully dilated; the second stage of
labor is the period of time between the full cervical dilatation and the delivery of
the infant; and the third stage of labor is the period of time between the delivery
of the baby and the delivery of the placenta. All three stages can range from
normal to degrees of abnormalities which, if left untreated, can result in tragic
consequences to the mother and baby.
Labor Abnormalities
- First stage
o Protracted cervical dilatation
o Arrest of cervical dilatation
o Prolonged deceleration phase
- Second stage
o Arrest of descent
- Third stage
o Postpartum hemorrhage
The first stage of labor can be further subdivided into a latent phase of labor
and an active phase of labor. The latent phase start with the onset of uterine
contractions with minimal or no cervical dilatation at all. The active phase of
labor begins with the upswing of cervical dilatation that culminates in full
dilatation absent an abnormality such as a protracted cervical dilatation or an
arrest of cervical dilatation.
A prolonged latent phase defined as more than 20 hours in a nulliparous woman
(first delivery) and more than 14 hours in a multiparous woman (previously
delivered a child or children) before entering the active phase of dilatation is not
a very serious problem. Sometimes, the prolongation of the latent phase can be
due to excessive narcotic analgesia or sedation; correction of this excess is
sufficient to resolve the problem. Prolonged latent phase is generally treated
with therapeutic rest (morphine is the drug of choice) to allow the pregnant
woman gain some sleep. Approximately 85% of women given a therapeutic rest
for a prolonged latent phase will wake up in active labor and proceed to
delivery. Approximately 10% will wake up and have no more uterine contractions
and be discharged with a retrospective diagnosis of false labor. Only 5% of
women will wake up following a therapeutic rest and continue with ineffectual
uterine contractility.
A protracted active phase of labor has serious clinical implications because the
mother and infant are at risk. In approximately one third (1/3) of woman
experiencing a protracted disorder the cause can be attributed to cephalopelvic
disproportion (the dimensions of the baby’s head are larger than the dimensions
of the mother’s pelvis). Vaginal delivery in a woman with cephalopelvic
disproportion is associated with an increased occurrence of morbidity and
mortality. Neurologic and developmental problems are common in particular
when operative vaginal delivery is attempted (forceps). If vaginal delivery is
attempted, it should be spontaneous and whenever possible free from analgesic
and/or anesthetic drugs.
Abnormalities of the first stage of labor (protraction disorder and arrest of
dilatation) require close fetal heart rate monitoring. If progress is slow but
continuous (protracted cervical dilatation) observation and fetal monitoring is
essential. Progress no matter how slow it is can be acceptable if such progress
is not made at the expense of the baby’s descent as a result of unusual head
molding and fetal heart rate remains within normal range. When fetal head
deformation occurs, there is no real progress of labor and the risk of intracranial
damage to the infant increases dramatically. Arrest of cervical dilatation that
results from cephalopelvic disproportion requires that a cesarean section be
performed sooner rather than later to prevent additional trauma to the fetus
without any appreciable gain.
A prolonged deceleration phase is the last portion of the active phase of the first
stage of labor. It is considered to be abnormal if it last more than three (3) hours
in a nulliparous woman or more than one (1) hour in a multiparous woman. A
prolongation of the deceleration phase is caused by the same factors causing
an arrest of dilatation; namely cephalopelvic disproportion. The treatment is
similar: accomplishing immediate delivery by cesarean section. Active fetal
descent of the presenting part should begin at the latest during the deceleration
phase. Failure of descent to begin at this time points to a serious problem,
namely cephalopelvic disproportion.
Abnormalities of the second stage of labor (protraction disorder and arrest of
descent) mainly relate to the progressive descent of the presenting part. Arrest
of dilatation is diagnosed by the failure to document descent of the presenting
part in two successive vaginal examinations one hour apart from each other.
True descent occurs when the presenting part is lower in the birth canal not
accompanied by excessive molding or caput. It is essential to rule out
cephalopelvic disproportion before allowing labor to continue. When protracted
descent is slow and continuous, cephalopelvic disproportion must be ruled out
before allowing labor to continue. Close fetal monitoring must be continuous and
operative vaginal delivery by forceps avoided. Perinatal morbidity (long term
neurologic and developmental problems) and mortality (fetal death) are greater
in deliveries following a protracted disorder of labor.
Abnormalities of the third stage of labor (retained placenta, postpartum
hemorrhage) are related to difficulties associated with the uterus and placenta.
In the majority of deliveries (80%) the placenta is expulsed within 10 minutes
following the delivery of the baby. A third stage that lasts more than 30 minutes
can be due to multiple pregnancies, overdistended uterus, uterine atony or
uterine defects. Rarely, a placenta accrete may require emergency surgery.
Uterine atony (failure of the uterus to contract) can cause severe and life
threatening postpartum hemorrhage. Factors that increase the risk for
postpartum hemorrhage include: multiple gestation, hydramnios, large baby
(macrosomia), precipitate or prolonged labor. Precautionary measures and
immediate treatment must be instituted in the event of a postpartum hemorrhage
to minimize maternal morbidity and mortality.
Labor abnormalities are usually described as failure to progress or slow labor. A
medical provider (physician or nurse midwife) should be able to recognize a
labor abnormality and take the necessary steps to manage these disorders
without exposing the fetus or the mother to increased risk of morbidity and/or
mortality. A mismanaged labor can result in serious long term problems and life-
long complications for the fetus (cerebral palsy, developmental delay, Erb’s
palsy) and the mother (uterine rupture, postpartum hemorrhage).
Medical providers (physician, nurse midwife) are responsible for the diagnosis
and management of complications that arise during the three stages of labor. If
you believe that you, your child or your loved one have been misdiagnosed, are
victims of a mismanaged labor or wrongly treated and suspect your child’s
complications may be the result of a medical provider’s error that was
diagnosable, avoidable and/or preventable, you may have a valid cause of
action. The injury may be the result of a medical provider's mistake in handling
your condition and the result of medical negligence. Dr. Borten has over 35
years of experience as an obstetrician and gynecologic surgeon to fully
evaluate the merits of your potential case. Allow the Boston area medical
malpractice attorneys at Gorovitz & Borten help you assert your rights and get
the compensation you deserve.
Contact Information
For a free confidential consultation and receive a response within 24 hours
(when possible), please contact us by phone, fax or e-mail with your question or
concern.
Telephone: 781-890-9095 - Fax: 781-890-9098
Directions
Electronic mail:
Questions or Inquiries to: inquiry@gbmedlaw.com
For a free confidential consultation and receive a response within 24 hours
(when possible), please contact us by phone, fax or e-mail with your question or
concern.
Telephone: 781-890-9095 - Fax: 781-890-9098
Directions
Electronic mail:
Questions or Inquiries to: inquiry@gbmedlaw.com
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Borten, P.C. for informational purposes only and are not intended, and should not be
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using electronic "Contact Us" form does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Internet and
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