What happens when labor pains stop midway during childbirth?

When the pregnancy is approaching the due date, pregnant women need to start paying attention to various signs of labor, such as lower abdominal pain, regular uterine contractions, water breaking or bleeding. If the labor pain suddenly stops midway after entering the delivery room, this is an emergency medical condition and may require immediate induction of labor or caesarean section.

Signs of labor and delivery in pregnant women

Continuous lower abdominal pain: If your pain lasts for more than 3-4 hours, it means that your labor has begun. At the end of labor, your uterus will expand and the baby's head will descend. You should go to the hospital as soon as possible before the active phase begins.

Regular contractions: If your pain rises and falls at regular intervals, you are about to give birth. Pay attention to the interval between your contractions. If they peak every 10 to 15 minutes, you should go to the hospital immediately.

Signs of water breaking: Water breaking is the least self-explanatory sign and in most cases will result in a natural positive birth. Water breaking can easily allow bacteria to enter the uterus and harm the health of both mother and baby. Even any vaginal discharge should be cause for concern.

Signs of bleeding: When vaginal bleeding begins, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible, because this means that the fetus is about to be delivered. Even if you are not in the delivery stage, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible to prevent emergency situations if bleeding occurs.

Headache or vomiting: If you have a severe headache accompanied by nausea and restlessness, you should seek help immediately. Don't wait, go to the hospital immediately, it is possible that your labor will start in a different way.

Not feeling fetal movement: This is an emergency. The closer you are to your due date, if you don’t feel your baby moving for 2-3 hours, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Causes of labor pain stopping midway

Premature rupture of membranes: If the amniotic fluid breaks before the due date, labor pains may not start naturally, and you may need injections or medication to induce labor. Artificial induction is not as effective as natural labor, and labor pains may stop midway when the medication helps reduce blood pressure.

Uterine atony: Although artificial induction of labor is safe, it sometimes fails. Too many painkillers and medications may numb the uterus, reduce sensitivity, and stop contractions. In this case, labor pains and contractions will not start until the uterus returns to its normal state.

Uterine rupture: This is a devastating complication. Once it occurs, labor may stop before the baby is born. Although it is a rare complication, a uterine rupture during labor may cause internal bleeding and endanger the life of both mother and baby.

Pregnant woman preparing for delivery in hospital

Check in: Before you enter the delivery room, your cervix may not be dilated enough, so you will have some waiting time. During this time, you can check in and get your supplies.

Walking helps with delivery: Walking helps the cervix open, so you can walk around the delivery room and take a walk to help the cervix open and speed up the process of entering delivery.

Eat a small snack: You will use up a lot of energy during labor, so you need to eat and replenish your energy. Eat a small, healthy snack to give you the energy to cope with the next labor.

Final prenatal checkup: At this stage, you can take a shower and let the nurse do a final checkup to confirm the interval between your contractions. You also need to shave your hair to avoid infection during delivery.