Signs of Infant Distress in Labor: What You Need to Know

Childbirth can bring a lot of uncertainty. Many women worry about the pain, the possibility of a C-section, and most importantly, whether their baby will be safe and healthy. A major source of anxiety is not knowing what to expect if something goes wrong during labor.

When a woman arrives at the hospital, she places her trust in the doctors and nurses caring for her. It’s critical to understand how complications are recognized and what signs may point to fetal distress during labor.

In some cases, failure to respond to these signs may be considered medical malpractice, especially if it leads to a preventable birth injury.

Labor Complications That May Be Infant Distress Warning Signs

When you’re in labor, a monitoring device is placed on your abdomen that measures your contraction frequency and the baby’s heart rate.

If you have contractions that are too close together (occur too often), contractions that are too strong, or contractions that last too long, it can cause distress to your baby.

Certain medications used to speed up labor, such as oxytocin (Pitocin®), can sometimes overstimulate the uterus. If that happens, the medication should be stopped right away. Other drugs may be used to slow the contractions and reduce stress on the baby.

Below, learn about the most common infant distress warning signs and how medical teams may respond.

Abnormal Heart Rate

One of the main signs of distress in infants during labor is an abnormal heart rate. Most hospitals provide continuous fetal monitoring while you are in active labor so they can step in at the earliest signs of infant distress.

There are a few different ways that a fetal heart rate can look abnormal. A typical infant’s heart rate is 110 to 160 beats per minute.

Warning signs of abnormal heart rates include:

• Baby’s heart rate is slow (bradycardia) or too fast (tachycardia)
• Heart rate lacks variability (normal variation is 6–25 beats per minute)
• Prolonged drop in heart rate (deceleration)

If the baby shows signs of distress for too long or isn’t getting enough oxygen, an emergency C-section may be needed. Nurses might try turning the mother, giving IV fluids, or using oxygen to help the baby recover. If those steps don’t work, surgery is often the safest option.

When medical teams fail to act quickly in these situations, the baby may suffer a preventable brain injury. In these cases, families affected by medical negligence may be eligible for financial compensation through a birth injury lawsuit.

Green or Brown Amniotic Fluid

Another sign of distress in labor is if the mother’s water breaks (rupture of membranes) and there is a greenish or brown color in the amniotic fluid.

This is a sign that the infant has passed their first stool (meconium) before birth. Sometimes infants can do this if they are under prolonged stress or if the mother is over 40 weeks pregnant.

Infants are surrounded by amniotic fluid, and it does not harm them. However, inhaling meconium during delivery can cause serious complications.

For example, meconium aspiration syndrome may require care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Unfortunately, it can sometimes result in long-term breathing problems or brain damage if not handled properly.

Prolonged Labor

Labor may be considered prolonged if the baby isn’t moving down the birth canal or the mother’s cervix isn’t dilating as expected. This can be a sign that the baby may not tolerate a vaginal delivery.

Common reasons for prolonged labor include:

• Contractions are too weak to keep labor progressing
• Infant is in an unusual position (such as feet- or buttocks-first)
• Maternal pelvis is too small or narrow to allow passage
• Size of the baby makes vaginal delivery unsafe

In these cases, a timely C-section is often the safest option. When doctors wait too long to take action, the baby can suffer serious harm, and the delay may be considered medical malpractice.

What to Do If You Notice Signs of Infant Distress

If you’re in labor and something feels wrong, such as a sudden drop in fetal movement or alarming monitor readings, alert a nurse or doctor right away. Medical teams are trained to respond quickly, and early action can help protect your baby’s health.

In emergencies, staff may give medications, turn your body to improve blood flow, place an oxygen mask on you, or take other steps to stabilize the baby. If those efforts don’t work, you may be taken for an emergency C-section.

That’s why it helps to make a plan ahead of time. This includes deciding who should be with the baby if you’re asleep, and letting your care team know about any important preferences, such as feeding or skin-to-skin contact.

After birth, your baby may need to go to the NICU for breathing support or further evaluation. Once you’re stable after surgery, the nurses will work to reunite you with your baby as soon as possible.

Preparing for the Unexpected in Labor

While none of this is ideal — and it can be emotionally overwhelming — these emergency protocols exist to protect your baby’s life. Doctors and nurses will work to stabilize you both and make sure you’re ready to go home safely.

If your baby needs to stay longer in the NICU, hospitals will coordinate with you for visiting or staying overnight with your baby.

As you get closer to your delivery, it’s important to feel educated and voice any requests you may have. A birth plan can be made and given to your nurses and doctors. This way, they are aware of what you want during your labor, delivery, and postpartum care.

Creating a birth plan ahead of time can help your medical team understand your wishes. However, even with careful planning, not all complications are handled properly. Some birth injuries are the result of preventable medical mistakes.

If you believe your baby was harmed due to negligence during labor or delivery, you may be eligible for financial compensation through a birth injury lawsuit.

Call the Birth Injury Justice Center at (800) 914-1562 or get a free case review to learn about your options.