Does prolonged labor raise the risk of cerebral palsy in babies? Yes, prolonged labor can increase that risk mainly because it may lead to oxygen deprivation for the baby during birth.
Prolonged labor means the birthing process takes much longer than usual. This happens if the cervix does not open wide enough or if the baby does not move down the birth canal as expected. When labor drags on, it stresses both the mother and the baby. For the baby, key dangers include infection, fetal distress where the heart rate drops, birth asphyxia from lack of oxygen, and shoulder dystocia where the baby gets stuck.
The biggest worry is oxygen loss. If a baby does not get enough oxygen to the brain, it can cause serious harm like hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, a type of brain injury. This oxygen shortage during long labor links directly to cerebral palsy, a condition that affects movement and muscle tone due to brain damage around birth time.
Doctors often use a drug called synthetic oxytocin or Pitocin to speed up contractions in slow labors. But if not watched closely, it can make contractions too strong or too often. This squeezes the oxygen supply to the baby even more, raising chances of cerebral palsy along with other issues like seizures or jaundice.
Not all prolonged labors end in cerebral palsy. Early monitoring of mom and baby helps. If progress stalls, like no change for hours after the cervix reaches six centimeters with good contractions, doctors should step in to avoid risks. Things like a baby too big for the birth canal can also prolong labor and lead to stuck shoulders, which cuts off oxygen and harms nerves or the brain.
Cerebral palsy has many causes beyond long labor. It often comes from brain injury or odd development in pregnancy, birth, or soon after. Premature babies, especially those under 28 weeks or very small, face higher odds. Infections, blood clots, or genetics play roles too. Labor issues cause only about five to ten percent of cases.
Signs of cerebral palsy show up as babies grow. They might be slow to roll, sit, or walk, or keep baby reflexes longer than normal. Early checks with tools like MRI scans help spot brain patterns tied to causes, leading to faster treatment.
Sources:
https://www.bila.ca/prolonged-labour-effects-on-baby/
https://prosperlaw.com/medical-malpractice-childbirth/
https://cerebralpalsyguidance.com/2025/12/12/researchers-use-mri-to-diagnose-find-causes-of-cerebral-palsy-in-children/
https://www.grossmanjustice.com/new-jersey-cerebral-palsy-lawyer/
https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/cerebral-palsy
