What is dystocia

Many women experience dystocia during childbirth. This problem poses a great threat to women's lives. Moreover, if dystocia is not improved in time, the fetus may not be born and may suffocate to death. So what is dystocia? It is not easy for many people to have dystocia, but generally, such problems occur when problems occur during the childbirth process.

If a dystocia occurs, women cannot choose natural childbirth. In modern medicine, cesarean section can improve this problem and provide great help to women in childbirth. So what is dystocia?

What is a dystocia?

Whether the fetus can be delivered smoothly through the vagina depends on three major factors: labor force, birth canal and fetus. If one or more of these factors are abnormal, it can lead to dystocia.

Uterine atony is divided into primary and secondary types: primary is when the uterine contraction is not strong enough at the beginning of labor; secondary is when the uterine atony occurs at a certain stage of labor.

1. Causes: ① Mental factors: The mother has fear or concerns about childbirth, insufficient food intake, and poor sleep, which affects her overall physical strength. This is more common in primiparas, especially those of advanced age; ② Uterine factors: uterine hypoplasia or malformation, multiple pregnancy, pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome and severe abdominal wall edema can all affect uterine contraction; ③ When the fetus is in an abnormal position or the cephalopelvic disproportion, the fetal presenting part cannot press tightly against the lower uterine segment and cervix, and secondary uterine atony may occur; ④ Other factors: endocrine disorders, insufficient sensitivity of the uterine muscle or excessive use of sedatives, etc.

2. Clinical manifestations and hazards: Under normal circumstances after delivery, uterine contractions generally occur at intervals of 2 to 5 minutes, last for 40 to 50 seconds, and the uterus is relatively hard. For those with weak contractions, the interval time is extended to 6 to 7 minutes or longer, the duration is shortened, not exceeding 30 seconds, and the contraction force is weakened, and the uterus is not hard enough to touch. Weak uterine contractions will directly affect cervical dilation and fetal head descent, prolonging labor, increasing maternal exhaustion, and possibly causing intestinal flatulence and urinary retention. Prolonged pressure on the birth canal can also make it prone to infection. In severe cases, genital tract fistulas may occur and postpartum bleeding may increase. The cesarean section rate increases because the descent and internal rotation of the fetal head are obstructed and the incidence of fetal intrauterine asphyxia increases.

3. Treatment: ① Eliminate nervousness and stabilize emotions; ② Detect cephalopelvic disproportion or fetal distress as early as possible and perform cesarean section; ③ For those who are expected to give birth vaginally, the mother should actively cooperate with the guidance and treatment given by the medical staff at different stages of the delivery, such as eating well and resting well at the beginning of labor, using a small amount of sedatives when necessary, and not holding the breath and pushing too early to conserve energy. After excluding cephalopelvic disproportion, intravenous drip of oxytocin can be used under close observation to enhance uterine contractions and accelerate the progress of labor. If abnormalities are found or if labor has not progressed after 4 to 6 hours of intravenous oxytocin infusion, the cause should be identified and cesarean section considered.

Through the above introduction, we have a good understanding of what dystocia is. Therefore, when a woman is giving birth, her family members must sign a consent form in time, otherwise it will pose a serious threat to all aspects of the woman's body. If you want to avoid dystocia, women need to undergo a comprehensive examination during pregnancy so that all aspects of their body can be protected.