CPM Certified Professional Midwife

Answer: A - Uterine inertia

Common causes of delay in the second stage of labor are uterine inertia, inability to bear down, constriction ring, pelvic tumor, malposition, epidural analgesia, cephalo - pelvic disproportion, and android pelvis. Additional causes of delay in the second stage are malpresentation, “big baby”, or congenital malformation of the fetus-as well as undue resistance of the pelvic floor (or perineum) due to spasm, and scarring may be a cause of this problem.