What complication can prolonged labor cause in newborns?

Prolonged labor can lead to specific complications in newborns, one of which is not venous stasis but rather conditions associated with the physical stress related to the labor process. One correct complication that can arise due to prolonged labor is caput succedaneum. This condition is characterized by swelling of the soft tissues of the head of the newborn as a result of pressure during the passage through the birth canal.

In situations of extended labor, the prolonged pressure on the presenting part of the fetus can cause this edema to occur, as the baby's head is pushed against the cervix and pelvic structures for an extended period. Caput succedaneum typically resolves on its own within a few days after birth without requiring any specific treatment.

Other potential complications of prolonged labor include intraventricular hemorrhage, which can lead to bleeds in the brain, particularly in premature infants, and meconium aspiration syndrome, where the newborn inhales a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid at birth, potentially leading to breathing difficulties.