Rapid Labor: Causes, Treatment & Risks to You & Your Baby

Is rapid labor dangerous for a baby?

Rapid labor, also known as precipitous labor, is a labor that progresses very quickly. While some women may consider a fast labor to be a blessing, it can also increase the risk of birth injuries. In this article, we’ll discuss what rapid labor is, the risks associated with it, and what parents can do if their child has suffered a birth injury as a result of rapid labor.

What is rapid labor?

Rapid labor occurs when a pregnant woman goes into labor and delivers her child in less than 3 hours. By contrast, normally, when contractions start, it can take a first-time mother between 12 and 19 hours to give birth, while mothers who’ve already had children often experience labor for 6 to 18 hours.

What causes rapid labor?

The cause of rapid labor is unknown, but it’s believed that certain factors may increase a woman’s risk. Some of the risk factors include the following:

What are the risks associated with rapid labor?

When a woman goes into labor that ends up being too fast, it can carry certain risks to both her and her baby. Rapid childbirth can lead to an emergency at-home delivery if the mother is unable to get to the hospital in time.

However, even in a hospital setting, rapid labor may carry the following risks:

• Birth trauma. A baby who experiences a rapid birth may be more likely to breathe in meconium during delivery or experience a head or brain injury or shoulder dystocia due to their rapid progression through the birth canal.
• Heavy bleeding. The mother can experience heavy bleeding or postpartum hemorrhage during rapid labor. This happens because the woman’s uterus fails to stop contracting after she has already given birth.
• Placental abruption. Placental abruption occurs when the placenta pulls away from the wall of the uterus prematurely before the woman has given birth. It must be treated promptly to prevent complications or death of the baby.
• Bruising and tearing. Rapid labor can cause women to suffer from bruising and tearing of the cervix, vagina or perineum. This happens because labor doesn’t last long enough to allow the cervix to dilate to 10 centimeters to accommodate a normal vaginal delivery.
• Retained placenta. A retained placenta means that the placenta remains inside the woman’s uterus after childbirth.

Is there any treatment for rapid labor?

Women who believe they might be experiencing rapid labor should call their doctor and go to a hospital immediately to prepare for delivery. Once at the hospital, your healthcare team can monitor you and your baby and respond appropriately if any interventions are needed.

While there is no specific treatment to prevent or stop rapid labor, your doctor may want to induce you to prevent a rapid at-home delivery if you’ve experienced rapid labor during a previous pregnancy.

What should be done during a rapid labor to prevent birth injuries?

During rapid labor, healthcare providers should work to prevent birth injuries by taking the following measures to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby:

• Provide continuous monitoring. Healthcare providers should closely monitor the progress of labor and continuously assess the well-being of both the mother and the baby. This includes monitoring maternal vital signs, fetal heart rate and uterine contractions.
• Position and coach mother during delivery. Healthcare providers may suggest specific positions or provide guidance to the mother during the pushing phase to optimize the delivery process. This may involve changing positions or using certain techniques to minimize the risk of birth injuries.
• Provide perineal support. During the baby’s descent, healthcare providers may need to provide manual support to the perineum to reduce the likelihood of perineal tears or other birth injuries. This may involve applying warm compresses, guiding controlled stretching or performing an episiotomy to enable the baby to safely make its way through the birth canal.
• Ensure a controlled delivery. Healthcare providers should strive to ensure a controlled delivery of the baby’s head and body. They may guide the mother to pause pushing briefly during crowning to allow for controlled stretching of the perineum and prevent rapid delivery.
• Ensure resuscitation readiness. In the case of a particularly rapid labor, healthcare providers should be prepared for any potential complications that may arise with the newborn, including having the necessary equipment for resuscitation readily available.

When is a birth injury from rapid labor medical malpractice?

Determining whether a birth injury resulting from rapid labor constitutes medical malpractice requires a careful evaluation of the specific circumstances and adherence to established medical standards. In general, medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional deviates from the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient.

What type of compensation is available through a birth injury lawsuit?

In a successful lawsuit, families can recover compensation for the following:

• Past economic damages. This refers to damages suffered out-of-pocket in the past, such as medical expenses, lost wages for parents who had to miss work to care for their children, modifications to your home or vehicle, as well as expenses for medication, equipment and caregivers.
• Future economic damages. These economic damages are often complicated to calculate, but an attorney can determine how much compensation parents of children who suffered birth injuries might need to provide specialized care for them in the future.
• Noneconomic damages. Noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress and mental anguish are more difficult to quantify and can vary depending on the circumstances.

Factors to consider when hiring a birth injury attorney

Choosing the right attorney for a birth injury case is an important decision that can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Here are some factors to consider when selecting an attorney:

• Experience and specialization. Look for an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice and has specific experience handling birth injury cases. They should have a thorough understanding of the complex medical and legal issues involved in these cases.
• Track record. Ask about the attorney’s track record and success rate in handling birth injury cases like yours. Also, look online for testimonials, case results and client reviews to gauge their effectiveness and reputation.
• Resources and network. Birth injury cases often require extensive resources, including expert witnesses and medical consultants. Ensure that the attorney you choose has the necessary resources and a strong network of professionals to support your case.
• Communication and personal connection. A birth injury case can be emotionally challenging, so it’s crucial to find an attorney with good communication skills who is empathic and understanding. They should be responsive, keep you informed about the progress of your case, and address any concerns or questions you may have.

Contact an experienced birth injury lawyer

Birth injuries can lead to serious health consequences that require costly, life-long treatment and rehabilitation. If you believe your child suffered a birth injury because of a doctor’s medical negligence, you owe it to yourself and your child to get the compensation they need to live their life to the fullest.

If you have questions about the birth injury lawsuit process or want help filing your claim, contact attorney Laura Brown at Brown Trial Firm. Laura has years of experience in birth injury law, helping families like yours all across the U.S. get the compensation they deserve.

Contact her today for a free consultation of your case.