Shock—Childbirth Problems

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.

• Assisted delivery with forceps (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Brachial plexus injury in newborns (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Breech birth (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Caput succedaneum (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Meconium aspiration syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Premature rupture of membranes (Medical Encyclopedia)

Shock happens when not enough blood and oxygen can get to your organs and tissues. It causes very low blood pressure and may be life threatening. It often happens along with a serious injury.

There are several kinds of shock. Hypovolemic shock happens when you lose a lot of blood or fluids. Causes include internal or external bleeding, dehydration, burns, and severe vomiting and/or diarrhea. Septic shock is caused by infections in the bloodstream. A severe allergic reaction can cause anaphylactic shock. An insect bite or sting might cause it. Cardiogenic shock happens when the heart cannot pump blood effectively. This may happen after a heart attack. Neurogenic shock is caused by damage to the nervous system.

Symptoms of shock include

• Confusion or lack of alertness
• Loss of consciousness
• Sudden and ongoing rapid heartbeat
• Sweating
• Pale skin
• A weak pulse
• Rapid breathing
• Decreased or no urine output
• Cool hands and feet

Shock is a life-threatening medical emergency and it is important to get help right away. Treatment of shock depends on the cause.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

• Anaphylaxis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Cardiogenic shock (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Hypovolemic shock (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Septic shock (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Shock (Medical Encyclopedia)