Labor storm

At the Labor storm hyperactive labor occurs, which corresponds to too strong or too short contractions. This phenomenon can cause the uterus to rupture and put the fetus at risk. If no incision is initiated, emergency medication is required to reduce contractions.

What is a labor storm?

Of the Labor storm is a hyperactive labor activity. The contractions occur either with an amplitude of more than 50 mmHg or with normal amplitude at only short intervals. In this case, that means more than 5 contractions in a ten-minute period. The basal tone is in the normal range for both symptoms. Labor storm is a complication that comes with risks.

For example, the uterus can rupture as part of the appearance. An undersupply of oxygen to the unborn child can also occur. Obstetrics must therefore react quickly to a contraction storm. The cause of the phenomenon is, among other things, incorrect dosages of certain drugs. A wrong position or the shape of the embryo should also be considered as causes of a labor storm.

causes

If there is a mismatch between the unborn child and the mother's pelvis, it can cause a labor storm. This statement applies above all to a macrosomal fetus that has a relatively high birth weight. Even a fetus of normal weight and size can cause the contractions of an enormously petite woman with a narrow pelvis.

Just as often an abnormal posture or position of the unborn child is the cause of a labor storm. Cervical dystocia are also sometimes possible causes. Sometimes the labor storm is caused by too high a dose of oxytocin. This substance is also produced in the organism. So if the endogenous oxytocin content is too high, this can also lead to a storm of labor. The endogenous oxytocin level increases, especially in multiple pregnancies, as the uterus is greatly stretched. Likewise, amniotomies sometimes result in abnormally high levels of oxztozin.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

The expectant mother experiences the contractions in the contraction tower either too quickly in succession or abnormally strong. As a rule, she also complains of severe pain. When the bandl groove in the uterus rises as part of the labor storm and reaches the navel, tenderness is usually mainly in the lower segment of the uterine. If this occurs, the uterus may rupture. Persistent pain during the pause in labor also indicates a uterine perforation.

The rupture of the uterus is not the only danger. The unborn child can also be endangered in a labor storm. As part of this phenomenon, intrauterine pressure increases. This can threaten the oxygen supply to the fetus. The fetal heart rate must therefore be constantly monitored by obstetrics using cardiotocography. If the heart rate shows abnormal values, a blood micro test is usually initiated.

Diagnosis & course of disease

Normally, palpation of the uterus is enough to suspect a contraction storm. The pregnant woman's uterus is abnormally hard and immobile. The tokogram confirms the diagnosis by showing too frequent or too strong contractions. Sometimes a permanent contraction can also be seen from the tokogram. By palpating the cervix, positional anomalies can be excluded as the cause of the labor storm.

The cardiotocography of the unborn child and the blood micrograph are important additional tests to ensure the integrity of the fetus. The course of a labor storm is generally favorable these days and is sometimes determined by the speed of reaction and experience of the midwives and the treating doctor.

Complications

A contraction storm does not normally result in any major complications. However, pain and other side effects can occur. The expectant mother usually feels very unwell, combined with sweating and cardiovascular problems. The typical pressure pain can cause the patient to cramp and no longer be able to adequately support the labor activity.

There is also the risk that the Bandl groove in the uterus will rise. If this happens, a uterine rupture can occur, which is associated with life-threatening complications. A complete perforation of the uterus is also conceivable. The child is also at risk in a labor storm. If the intrauterine pressure increases too much, this can affect the oxygen supply to the child.

A lack of air supply can lead to physical and mental consequential damage. In the worst case, the child dies as a result of a labor storm. When treating a labor storm, the risks come from the prescribed medication. Partusists are usually administered, which can lead to circulatory problems.

If a incision has to be made, this is always associated with risks. In the context of the caesarean section, for example, injuries to the vessels and muscles or to the child can occur. After an operation, scars often remain, which are occasionally associated with wound healing disorders and scar pain.

When should you go to the doctor?

In all cases, a contraction storm is a reason to go to a hospital with a maternity ward immediately or to have an emergency van take you there. The storm of contractions is not only sometimes very painful and may have to be stopped or regulated with medication. It is also a sign of the onset of childbirth and also of possible complications.

The storm of labor carries among other things the risk of a uterine rupture and is a sign of a more complicated birth. There can be various reasons for this, most of which are mechanically caused by the fruit of the womb. This includes, for example, very large children who are incorrectly positioned in the uterus.

Due to the fact that a storm of labor entails strong contractions of the uterus, there is also a risk for the child inside.For example, there may be a lack of oxygen as a result of bruises or constrictions in the child.

The storm of contractions is therefore attributable to the acutely treated circumstances. As soon as the contractions are felt to be unusually violent or even the breaks between them are felt to be painful, a doctor should therefore be consulted urgently. More than five contractions within ten minutes are a sign of a contraction storm.

Treatment & Therapy

The expectant mother is instructed to breathe calmly during the contractions so that the oxygen supply to the fetus does not deteriorate any further. Relaxation techniques are used. A warm bath can also initiate relaxation. In an emergency, anticonvulsant drugs are also given. The mother-to-be moves into the knee-elbow position to reduce the pressure on the cervix.

The reduction in stimulation of the cervix brings about a decrease in labor. If abnormal posture of the fetus is causing the labor storm, vaginal delivery is not feasible. In this case, obstetrics initiates a incision delivery. If the labor storm has another cause and a vaginal birth is feasible, the gynecologist will give the expectant mother an anesthetic near the spinal cord if in doubt. This epidural anesthesia reduces the pain in labor.

Partusists are usually given as emergency medication to keep the uterus from contracting violently. In this way, the oxygen supply to the fetus is secured again. The mother's heart rate increases significantly as a side effect of the drug, but usually returns to normal after the drug is broken down. The administration of the medication is absolutely necessary in order not to endanger the unborn child and to promote the birth.

prevention

The storm of labor can only be prevented to a certain extent, for example by giving preference to a incision birth from the outset if there is a disproportion between the unborn child and the mother's pelvis.

Aftercare

After a labor storm, healing in the puerperium has top priority. Mother and child have to recover from the dramatic events in the delivery room. Close medical check-ups after the birth guarantee that the uterus regresses well and that the labor storm does not leave any damage to the female body.

Good medical follow-up care is the best measure to prevent permanent physical damage. If the attending physicians were unable to determine the causes of the labor storm during the birth, the gynecologist should clarify this point afterwards. The psychological processing of the birth is also strongly advised.

For the health of the psyche it is necessary that the woman concerned accepts and accepts the dramatic course of the birth. In addition to consulting the treating gynecologist, a visit to a psychologist may be necessary. Especially for subsequent pregnancies, it is helpful if there are no physical or emotional consequences after the birth with a labor storm.

This is the only way to have a relaxed new pregnancy. An intensive preparation for the following birth and the avoidance of the causes of the labor storm enable a birth without complications. The pregnant woman can calmly look forward to a new pregnancy and the birth.

You can do that yourself

In the event of an acute contraction, the affected woman must be treated by a doctor as soon as possible. Otherwise, hyperactive labor can be life-threatening for both mother and child. Self-help measures alone usually do not alleviate the symptoms. However, there are some methods that can help the affected woman better cope with the situation.

First, the patient should try to remain calm as possible. This usually also has a positive effect on the fetus. Breathing calmly and evenly is particularly helpful during a labor storm. The affected woman can use certain breathing techniques. The use of certain relaxation techniques such as yoga, autogenic training or meditation is also helpful. Taking the knee-elbow position also has a relieving effect. Alternatively, the woman can take the position of the bridge. This will reduce the pressure on the cervix, which will decrease labor.

A warm bath can also have a relaxing effect, which helps the patient calm down. Basically, the person affected should move as little as possible until the storm of contractions loses its intensity.