Childbirth Problems Summary While childbirth usually goes well, complications can happen. They can cause a risk to the mother, baby, or both. Possible complications include Preterm (premature) labor, when labor starts before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy Problems with the umbilical cord Problems with the position of the baby, such as breech, in which the baby is going to come out feet first Birth injuries For some of these problems, the baby may need to be delivered surgically by a Cesarean section. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Specifics Abnormal Position and Presentation of the Fetus Merck & Co., Inc. Amniotic Fluid Embolism Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Birth Injury Merck & Co., Inc. Breech Babies: What Can I Do If My Baby Is Breech? American Academy of Family Physicians Meconium Aspiration Nemours Foundation Postterm Pregnancy (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Pregnancy Complications: Shoulder Dystocia March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Pregnancy Complications: Umbilical Cord Abnormalities March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Sheehan’s Syndrome (Postpartum Hypopituitarism) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What to Expect After Your Due Date American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Array Assisted delivery with forceps Brachial plexus injury in newborns Breech – slideshow Breech birth Caput succedaneum Meconium aspiration syndrome Premature rupture of membranes Treatments and Therapies Cervical Cerclage Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Episiotomy: When It’s Needed, When It’s Not Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Forceps Delivery Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What Treatments Can Reduce the Chances of Preterm Labor and Birth? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Related Issues Cervical Length: Why Does It Matter during Pregnancy? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Pregnancy Complications: Cervical Insufficiency March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Pregnancy Complications: Placenta Previa March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Pregnancy Complications: Placental Abruption March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Pregnancy Complications: Placental Accreta, Increta and Percreta March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Birth Injuries National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Obstetric Labor Complications National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Obstetric Labor, Premature National Institutes of Health Statistics and Research Cooling Therapy Helps Newborns Years Later National Institutes of Health PeriStats: Perinatal Statistics March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Encyclopedia Delivery presentations Episiotomy – slideshow Fetal scalp pH testing Fractured clavicle in the newborn Placenta previa Pregnancy and herpes Sheehan syndrome Vacuum-assisted delivery When you pass your due date Diagnosis and Tests Fetal Fibronectin March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring during Labor American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Find an Expert March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development womenshealth.gov Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Journal Articles Complications in childbirth Start Here What Are Some Common Complications During Labor and Delivery? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Latest News Severe Migraines Linked to Complications During Pregnancy, Childbirth HealthDay