An emergency delivery happens when unplanned events cause a woman to give birth at home or on the way to the hospital. Emergency deliveries should not be confused with intentional home deliveries.

Unexpected complications can develop when labor and delivery happen at home. These complications include:

What is going on in the body?

There are different stages of labor. When the water breaks it usually means the baby will be coming soon. Contractions often start after the water breaks, sometimes before. Contractions of the uterus can go on for hours. For first-time mothers, contractions usually last 10 to 24 hours. Later births are faster, usually 3 to 8 hours.

Contractions cause the cervix to open, or dilate. Once the cervix is completely opened, the baby begins to move down into the birth canal, or vagina. Eventually, the baby is delivered by the mother's pushing. Babies are usually born head first, facing down. Sometimes the baby's feet or buttocks are the first through the birth canal. After the baby is delivered, the placenta separates from the uterus and is also pushed out.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Certain conditions make emergency deliveries more likely. Rapid delivery occurs more often in women who:

Other reasons for an unexpected delivery are that: