A fall birth is when the baby is born unusually quickly – that is, in a period of less than two hours. The mother has only a few pushing contractions as part of the precipitous birth. The risk of injury is increased – for both mother and baby. Although the risk of a fall birth is increased only after several births, first-time mothers can also be affected. Especially if the pregnancy was concealed or repressed, fall births can result.
When things happen really fast: what is a precipitous birth?
The term fall birth describes a special birth process that lasts no more than two hours from the onset of the very first contraction until the baby is born. In the end, it is indeed a normal birth, whereby the mother has no contractions, respectively, the birth process is immediately accompanied by strong pressing contractions. In many cases, just one expulsion contraction is enough until the baby is delivered. However, there is also a possibility that the mother complains of mild contractions that occur at very long intervals and cause almost no pain. Often there is also a risk that such contractions are not even noticed by the mother or the slight pain is misinterpreted. The wrong interpretation is possible especially if the pregnancy – until the end – was not perceived or repressed or even concealed. In this case, the pregnant woman often lies to herself that it can not be labor at all, but there are other reasons why suddenly abdominal pain occurs.
Causes of a drop birth?
The reasons why a fall birth may occur vary. Sometimes the causes can be found on the part of the expectant mother, but also on the part of the child. Women who have already given birth to several children have a very stretchable birth canal. This not only offers little resistance, but also ensures that the cervix opens faster than normal. If the birth canal has not had enough time to fully retract, then a fall birth is also possible. This is the case if the pregnancies occurred shortly after each other. However, a fall birth is also possible in first-time mothers. For example, if the pregnancy was suppressed or even concealed by the expectant mother. A fall birth is also possible if the baby’s head circumference is small or if the baby is very small. If the contractions are extremely strong, a fall birth can also follow. As a rule, there are no actual signs of a fall birth; however, if the woman has already given birth to several children or if a very small child was detected by ultrasound, the physician can certainly take precautions so that a fall birth is prevented or intercepted.
Risks of a fall birth
In almost all cases, the fall birth is accompanied by severe birth pains. The extremely fast or too fast birth process can also cause injuries. For example, there is a risk of soft tissue injury in the birth canal; sometimes, however, the pelvic floor can also be injured. In these cases, postpartum hemorrhaging can occur. If the woman has “not noticed” the pregnancy or has repressed it, the onset of labor may also be perceived as an urge to have a bowel movement. Especially if the feeling of pressure spreads to the intestines. The baby is also repeatedly delivered on the toilet in the course of such precipitous births. This is also referred to as a toilet birth. This is a rare birth, but one that is certainly possible. However, there are also risks for the child. For example, a fall birth can very well lead to injuries. For example, if the baby falls into the toilet during the toilet birth or sometimes falls onto the floor. Another risk is that the umbilical cord may also tear. Sometimes – due to the fact that there is a lack of pressure adaptation in the birth canal – oxygen deficiency can also occur. Oxygen deficiency, which occurs during the expulsion phase, can be the reason for brain hemorrhages, for example. Possible injuries to the trunk, legs and also arms are possible. For this reason, it is of the highest priority that a doctor – after the fall birth – performs physical examinations and clarifies whether the mother and the child are healthy or whether there are any injuries.
What is the best way to prepare for a fall birth?
If there is a risk or suspicion of a fall birth, an emergency physician must be contacted. The expectant mother should not wait and see, but also – if it is a false alarm – notify the emergency physician in time that there is a possibility of a fall birth. The woman giving birth should subsequently lie down in bed or flat so that the child’s fall can be prevented. If the child is born before the doctor is present, it must be kept warm. It is advisable to have plenty of towels ready to wrap the child if a fall is imminent. The child, once born, should be placed on the mother’s stomach. The doctor, after arriving, will set all further measures and also make any examinations whether the child and the mother are injured or not. If precautionary measures are taken, the risk of injury to the mother and child is low, but it is still possible or necessary for the doctor to conduct examinations.