Last Updated on October 15, 2024

Prolonged Labor Effects on a Baby: Complications and Risks

About one in every five women can experience prolonged labor. [1] Some records show that women can experience up to 23 hours of labor. First time mothers are more susceptible to prolonged labor.

During labor, doctors must recognize any difficulty a mother is having. Proper medical interventions can be done to hasten and ease the process. In more severe cases, medical negligence has led to adverse outcomes for mother and child. 

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Risk Factors Associated with Prolonged Labor

There are various pre-labor measures that can mitigate instances of prolonged labor. Proper counseling on nutrition and exercise can help mothers better prepare for labor. At the same time, doctors must also properly identify and address risk factors that are associated with difficult deliveries.


Risk factors that must be addressed are outlined below. Failure to properly address these risk factors could lead to adverse outcomes.

Maternal Factors

  • Primiparity (first-time mothers)
  • Advanced maternal age (35+ years old)
  • Obesity
  • Smaller stature
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Anxiety/fear during labor

Fetal Factors

  • Macrosomia (large fetus)
  • Abnormal fetal positions
  • Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets. etc.)
  • Congenital anomalies

Potential Long-term Complications for Children

Prolonged labor can potentially lead to various long-term complications for babies after they are born. These complications can range from mild to severe, depending on the duration and management of the prolonged labor. 

Babies born after a prolonged labor may contract the following:

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Cognitive impairments
  • Seizure disorders
  • Visual impairments
  • Hearing loss
  • Behavioral disorders
  • Organ damage

These long term conditions are life altering for entire families. Through medical malpractice claims, families can ensure that all their child’s specialized needs can be provided.

Maternal Safety and Prolonged Labor

Mothers may also suffer long-term complications following prolonged labor. Apart from long-term physical impairments, mothers are also susceptible to psychological and emotional damages due to any adverse outcomes that may arise.

Mothers who have been subjected to a prolonged labor may contract the following:

  • Pelvic prolapse
  • Chronic pains
  • Depression
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Uterine prolapse
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Any injuries incurred by both mother and child – while under the care of a negligent healthcare provider – should be legally compensated.

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Securing Compensation for Damages

All medical expenses (past and future) are considered in a medical malpractice claim. In birth injury cases, compensation ensures that an injured child is provided with all the necessary support for their growth and development. Injured mothers must also be allowed to return to their healthiest state.

The following may be used as a foundation for your birth injury claim:

  1. Failure to properly monitor fetal heart rate and maternal contractions
  2. Delayed decision to perform a cesarean section when medically necessary
  3. Improper use of labor-inducing drugs like oxytocin
  4. Failure to recognize and address signs of fetal distress
  5. Inadequate management of maternal exhaustion or dehydration
  6. Neglecting to intervene when labor fails to progress

Apart from medical expenses, other economic and non-economic losses are also factored in. Lost income, emotional trauma, and decreased quality of life are some of the more common considerations. For actual compensation figures, please refer to our previous wins.

Speak to a Birth Injury Lawyer Today

At the Porter Law Group, our team of proven medical malpractice lawyers delivers ideal results. We take pride in helping families rebuild after unfavorable circumstances. We operate on a contingency basis – meaning you do not need to pay us anything unless we win your case. Through this approach, we can better support families during their times of need.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, please reach out to us for a non-obligatory free case evaluation. You can also contact us at 833-PORTER9 or  info@porterlawteam.com to schedule a consultation.

Written By
Michael S. Porter
Personal Injury Attorney
Originally from Upstate New York, Mike built a distinguished legal career after graduating from Harvard University and earning his juris doctor degree from Syracuse University College of Law. He served as a Captain in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, gaining expertise in trial work, and is now a respected trial attorney known for securing multiple million-dollar results for his clients while actively participating in legal organizations across Upstate NY.
Legally Reviewed on October 15, 2024
Eric C. Nordby
Personal Injury Attorney
Eric, with nearly three decades of experience in personal injury litigation, holds a law degree with honors from the University at Buffalo School of Law and a Bachelor's Degree from Cornell University. His extensive career encompasses diverse state and federal cases, resulting in substantial client recoveries, and he actively engages in legal associations while frequently lecturing on legal topics.
This Article Was Professionally Reviewed
This page was Legally Reviewed by Eric C. Nordby on October 15, 2024. Our experts verify everything you read to make sure it's up to date. For information on our content creation and review process read our editorial guidelines. If you notice an error or have any questions about our content please contact us.
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