While childbirth usually goes well, complications can happen. They can cause a risk to the mother, baby, or both. Possible complications include
Preterm (premature) labor, when labor starts before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy
Problems with the umbilical cord
Problems with the position of the baby, such as breech, in which the baby is going to come out feet first
Birth injuries
For some of these problems, the baby may need to be delivered surgically by a Cesarean section.