What are the two most common subjective complaints of a woman who is decompensating during labor?

The most common subjective complaints of a woman who is decompensating during labor typically include shortness of breath and palpitations. This reflects the stress that labor imposes on the body, which can lead to increased demands on the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system.

During labor, physiological changes occur as the body prepares for delivery, including increased heart rate and heightened respiratory effort. As a woman begins to decompensate, she may start to feel short of breath due to the increased workload on her heart and lungs, as well as the pressure from the uterus on the diaphragm, limiting lung expansion. Palpitations can arise from this increased cardiovascular effort or as a response to anxiety and stress during the labor process. Both of these symptoms signal that the body is struggling to meet the demands of labor, indicating a potential for complications if not addressed promptly.

Other complaints, while they may occur in different contexts, are less likely to be the major indicators of decompensation during labor. Fatigue and nausea can arise due to labor but are common in many other scenarios as well. Dizziness and headache can be related to various factors, such as low blood pressure or dehydration, and are not as specific to labor. Chest pain and anxiety might