While labor can be scary, especially for first-time mothers, knowing that you are about to meet your baby makes it worth it. However, that joyful anticipation can quickly become terrifying if the baby goes into distress. Signs of fetal distress can require an immediate reaction to avoid preventable birth injuries. If your medical team fails to respond appropriately or promptly, it can lead to lifelong injuries for your child.
Medical professionals should act in a way that is best for the health of the baby and the mother. When things go wrong, the family may need help from a Philadelphia fetal distress malpractice lawyer. A knowledgeable birth injury attorney can collect evidence to prove a doctor or medical professional was negligent.
Understanding Fetal Distress
During labor and delivery, the healthcare team should monitor the baby’s vital signs to look for signs of fetal distress. Fetal distress is a catch-all term that describes when the baby may be in danger. The two main types of fetal distress are abnormal heart rate and signs of a decreased oxygen supply, known as hypoxia.
There are several potential causes of fetal distress. Some of them are preventable, which can lead to medical malpractice claims. Others are not preventable, and whether the medical team commits malpractice depends on how they respond to those signs of distress.
Prolonged labor is one potential cause of fetal distress. While not dangerous, some mothers may be in the first stages of labor for days. However, prolonged labor can lead to distress in both the mother and baby. When labor is prolonged, the team should engage in frequent fetal monitoring to ensure that the baby is doing fine.
Illness in the mother or infant is another potential cause of fetal distress. A mother who is weakened from another condition or an illness may struggle during labor, which can contribute to fetal distress. The medical team needs to take the mother’s health under consideration when making decisions, especially the decision of when to suggest a Cesarean section instead of a vaginal delivery.
The levels of amniotic fluid can also lead to fetal distress. While a lengthy labor is not, by itself, necessarily dangerous, a lengthy labor after a mother’s water has broken can be. The infant needs amniotic fluid to survive inside the mother safely. Low levels of amniotic fluid can place the baby in distress. A Philadelphia fetal distress malpractice attorney can help determine whether fetal distress-related injuries were preventable.
Health Problems Related to Fetal Distress
Medical professionals must assess the baby’s health once it is born to determine whether the baby needs immediate medical intervention. They can look for signs of abnormal heart rate and examine respiration rates, looking for lower breathing rates or a baby who is not breathing at birth. They should do an APGAR score, which looks at several factors to assess infant health. One of those items is the baby’s color at birth; a blue tint to the skin indicates a lack of oxygen.
In the days following the baby’s birth, there may be other indications of problems related to fetal distress that a malpractice lawyer in Philadelphia can help document. Continued problems with heart rate, breathing, kidney function, seizures, and bowel function are all signs of potential injuries.
Speak to a Philadelphia Fetal Distress Malpractice Lawyer
When a baby experiences a birth injury, parents want someone to be responsible. Not every birth injury is related to medical malpractice. However, if the healthcare team failed to respond appropriately to signs of fetal distress, then they may be liable for those injuries. Unwinding the complexities of an infant medical injury can require the help of expert witnesses and a Philadelphia fetal distress malpractice lawyer. Schedule a free consultation to learn more.
