What types of complications occur during labor and delivery?

First, be assured that most complications are rare if you and your baby have had a healthy pregnancy. However, there can be complications even in the healthiest of pregnancies. These complications might be related to you or your baby. Your baby could have problems in tolerating the labor or in traveling down the birth canal. You might have problems related to labor progress or issues such as bleeding or infection. A childbirth class and/or books such as the "What to expect..." series offer more detailed information, as can your healthcare provider. The best way to decrease the chance of you or your baby experiencing complications is to see your healthcare provider on a regular basis and follow their recommendations. Once labor starts, research suggests that avoiding unnecessary interventions may help decrease the chance of certain complications.