Birth asphyxia has a number of contributing factors; the health of the mother antenataly contributes. if the mother has for instance anemia or pre eclampsia, the baby may have IUGR which may affect well being of the baby to withstand labuor and delivery leading to birth asphyxia. again during delivery, issues such as prolonged labour also predisposed the baby to asphyxia. with every contraction, there is less supply of blood and oxygen to the placenta and the baby. if labour takes longer than necessary, the baby fails to compensate and may have asphyxia.