Precipitous Labor occurs when a woman gives birth within 3 hours from the time the labor started or it is simply a labor that is completed in less than 3 hours. Precipitous labor usually starts as normal uterine contractions but within a few minutes, the contractions becomes very strong, occurring very rapidly and following each other with no break in between them.
Though it is not clearly known what triggers a precipitous labor but such labor are more likely to occur in woman who have previously given birth, if labor is induced by use of oxytocin or amniotomy, women with wide pelvis, women with a history of previous precipitous labor and smaller babies in the right position. Other risks factors are; pregnant women with history of smoking and drug abuse.
Precipitous Labor Complications
While some woman may think it is fine to go through the whole labor process within a few hours. On the other hand, precipitous labor can lead to serious complications. Apart from the intense pain that the mother may have to undergo (no time to access pain reliever due to faster progression of labor).
Other serious complications of Precipitous Labor may include;
Though it is not clearly known what triggers a precipitous labor but such labor are more likely to occur in woman who have previously given birth, if labor is induced by use of oxytocin or amniotomy, women with wide pelvis, women with a history of previous precipitous labor and smaller babies in the right position. Other risks factors are; pregnant women with history of smoking and drug abuse.Precipitous Labor Complications
While some woman may think it is fine to go through the whole labor process within a few hours. On the other hand, precipitous labor can lead to serious complications. Apart from the intense pain that the mother may have to undergo (no time to access pain reliever due to faster progression of labor).
Other serious complications of Precipitous Labor may include;
- Premature separation of the placenta - This is can lead to hemorrhage.
- Sudden pressure on the fetal head can lead to subdural hemorrhage.
- Serious perineal laceration from the forceful birth.
- Fetal distress due to decreased oxygen for both mother and the fetus.
- Psychological trauma - due to sudden speed of labor.
How to Manage Precipitous Labor
In normal labor, contractions usually follows a specific pattern with break in between them. In precipitous labor, contractions are stronger and follow each other without a break. Any woman who experience this kind of contractions should go to the hospital immediately or call 911 if you are away from hospital.
This is because once you are in the hospital, a precipitous labor can easily be predicted by looking at a labor graph. In mothers giving birth for the first time, the dilatation is usually greater than 5cm/hour or 1 cm occurring in every 12 minutes while in mothers who have previously given birth and are under a precipitous labor, the dilatation occurs at the rate of 10 cm or 1 cm for every 6 minutes.
In such case, medication to decrease the force and frequency of labor may be administered. The delivery room is also prepared before full dilatation. In some instances, the doctor may decide to perform a cesarean section to halt precipitous labor, but this is rarely done.
For women with a history of previous precipitous labor, they are cautioned about possible precipitous labor to make sure they come in hospital early enough.
This is because once you are in the hospital, a precipitous labor can easily be predicted by looking at a labor graph. In mothers giving birth for the first time, the dilatation is usually greater than 5cm/hour or 1 cm occurring in every 12 minutes while in mothers who have previously given birth and are under a precipitous labor, the dilatation occurs at the rate of 10 cm or 1 cm for every 6 minutes.
In such case, medication to decrease the force and frequency of labor may be administered. The delivery room is also prepared before full dilatation. In some instances, the doctor may decide to perform a cesarean section to halt precipitous labor, but this is rarely done.
For women with a history of previous precipitous labor, they are cautioned about possible precipitous labor to make sure they come in hospital early enough.
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