Most pregnancies will go well without any problems. However, it is good to be aware of some of the common problems that do occur.
- Labor does not move along at a steady pace or stops. To help your contractions, your doctor may give you a medicine called oxytocin. Oxytocin is the same chemical that your own body makes to cause labor. This medicine is adjusted to strengthen your contractions so your labor will move along.
- Another problem is that the baby’s head may stop before reaching the opening of the vagina. Often, the baby can be helped out with forceps, which are metal instruments that carefully fit over the baby’s head.
- The easiest way for babies to come out is head first. Sometimes the baby may be turned around with the rump (breach), legs, or arms coming first. In the case of a breach birth, your doctor will carefully decide whether to perform a cesarean section or try to deliver the baby through the vagina. Your safety and the baby’s safety will be the most important factors in making such a decision.
