What is a major risk associated with precipitous delivery?

In the context of precipitous delivery, which is defined as a very rapid birth—typically occurring in less than three hours of labor—there are significant risks involved. One of the major risks is the increased likelihood of fetal and maternal trauma. During a precipitous delivery, there can be a lack of control over the birthing process, potentially leading to complications for both the mother and the infant.

When the delivery occurs too quickly, there may not be sufficient time for proper physiological adjustments, which can increase the risk of shoulder dystocia, where the baby's shoulders may get stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone. This situation can lead to birth injuries for the baby, such as brachial plexus injuries or clavicle fractures, and can also result in perineal tears or hemorrhage for the mother.

The other options, while valid concerns in different contexts, do not highlight the immediate and severe complications that can arise specifically from the rapid nature of a precipitous delivery. The focus on trauma in the correct answer underscores the urgent and critical nature of managing a precipitous birth in order to safeguard the health of both mother and child.