For the fetus, asphyxia (acute hypoxia) and placental abruption are of great danger. The lack of oxygen inside the womb stimulates the fetus to perform untimely respiratory movements. They lead to the ingestion of water and possible inflammation of the lung tissue - pneumonitis. If there is an admixture of meconium (original feces) in the waters, then there is a high probability of meconium aspiration - the penetration of the contents of the intestine of the newborn into his lungs.
As a result of hypoxia and centralization of blood circulation during intrauterine development, ischemic damage to the myocardium, kidneys and intestines of the fetus is possible - oxygen starvation of the cells of these organs develops and the processes of tissue respiration are disturbed. With prolonged ischemia, a persistent disruption of the functioning of organs is possible, up to their death (intestinal necrosis, renal failure, etc.).
The central nervous system of a post-term fetus also becomes very sensitive to lack of oxygen and possible injury. Therefore, hypoxia can disrupt the functioning of the nervous system and lead to a child lagging behind in physical and neuropsychic development.
Among other things, injuries to the fetus during childbirth are possible. They are associated with the large size of the baby's head, narrow fontanelles and the density of the bones of his skull.
The mother often has a clinical picture of a narrow pelvis, trauma to the genital organs (ruptures of the cervix, vagina or perineum), postpartum hemorrhage (as a result of an overdistended uterus), septic and embolic complications.
With a clinically narrow pelvis, there is a disproportion in the size of the fetus and the mother's pelvis. Childbirth through the natural birth canal in this case is impossible. As a rule, operative delivery is performed.
The occurrence of septic complications is associated with an infection that becomes systemic. Perhaps the development of chorioamnionitis (inflammation of the chorion and infection in the amniotic fluid), postpartum endometritis, sepsis (blood poisoning) and septic shock.
Embolic complications occur when fragments of foreign tissues (blood clots, amniotic fluid, etc.) appear in the woman's bloodstream. In this case, extremely dangerous processes occur, such as PE, amniotic fluid embolism and septic embolism with a high probability of death.