(Footnote: The following risks quoted are for mothers with big babies in general, and does not pertain to Asian mothers alone.)
Baby's risks during labor included shoulder dystocia, nerve and skeletal injuries during delivery and lack of oxygen during labor. Risks after delivery for the baby included low sugar levels. For the mother, prolonged labor increases the risk for caesarean delivery and the risk of severe bleeding after birth. Tears involving the anal sphinter, a back passage muscle responsible for the continence of faeces are increased with shoulder dystocia. Anaesthetic complications are increased greatly because of the increased need for operative deliveries.