Labor is different for every mother and child. While many health professionals consider labor that lasts longer than 20 hours to be prolonged, as long as the mother and infant’s health seems fine, they may allow labor to continue. To ensure that the baby is fine, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals should monitor fetal vital signs for any indications of distress.
Both maternal and fetal health can change dramatically in a relatively short time. Fetal distress can indicate a need for a cesarean section or other birth intervention. Failure to monitor fetal vital signs in Philadelphia can result in health professionals missing those signs, delaying treatment, and leading to birth injuries. When this happens to your child, seek guidance from a compassionate birth injury attorney.
Prenatal care, labor, and the birth process involve a substantial amount of fetal monitoring. When the obstetrician or midwife measures the baby for growth, looks at ultrasounds, and runs blood tests, that is part of fetal monitoring. These tests may seem invasive, but they can help uncover indicators of potential fetal distress, including:
A doctor who fails to provide adequate prenatal care may miss issues that can cause health complications for the baby and the mother. The treatment for fetal distress depends on the nature of the issue, the gestational age, and other factors. Some mothers may be put on bed rest, others may be hospitalized, and in some cases, the doctors may recommend an early delivery. Consistent monitoring helps health professionals in Philadelphia determine the safest course of treatment for mother and child, which is why failure to monitor fetal vital signs can be so devastating.
During labor, medical professionals should monitor fetal heart rate and examine the baby’s position to determine potential problems with the umbilical cord, shoulder dystocia, and whether the baby appears to be getting adequate oxygen. Signs of distress can indicate the need for medical intervention. The nature of the intervention may depend on the stage of labor. It could involve C-sections, the use of baby delivery tools, or having a neonatal specialist available as soon as the baby is born.
Some birth injuries in Philadelphia are linked to failure to diagnose fetal distress. These may include cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, physical injuries at birth, and developmental delays.
One of the most significant types of fetal distress is hypoxia, low oxygen to the brain. Hypoxia increases the risk of damage to the brain, lungs, heart, kidneys, and bowels. The damage can be permanent, though dropping the baby’s body temperature after birth may help mitigate some damage.
Hypoxia can lead to a problem known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Symptoms can include:
Cerebral palsy is a broad term that covers a collection of neurological orders impacting movement, balance, and muscle coordination. Cerebral palsy is linked to developmental damage to the brain in utero, during birth, or even during early infancy.
When your baby’s health outcome is not what you expected, it can be very confusing. You may wonder if your baby’s health problems are the result of preventable problems, including medical malpractice.
An attorney at The Weitz Firm can review your medical records with the help of medical experts to determine whether your healthcare team met the standard of care. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about the failure to monitor fetal health signs in Philadelphia.
We are highly selective in the cases we undertake to ensure that can give each client his full attention. You can schedule an appointment for a personal injury consultation at our Philadelphia office by calling us, or by filling out our online intake form.
