Medical staff are responsible for carefully monitoring the unborn baby throughout labor and delivery. They must ensure the infant is getting enough oxygen and is not displaying signs of fetal distress. Common warning signs of fetal distress include changes in the baby’s heart rate or movement. Doctors often use electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) to ensure there are no medical complications.
There are two types of EFM. External monitoring consists of the mother wearing a belt-like device with sensors that record the strength of her contractions and the baby’s heartbeat. Internal monitoring involves attaching an electrode to the infant’s scalp after the mother’s cervix dilates to two centimeters. The latter is considered the more accurate of the two monitoring methods. A machine prints data from the monitor onto strips for the medical staff to review.
EFM can be beneficial for alerting doctors and nurses to signs of early fetal distress. However, despite its standard use in hospitals today, fetal monitoring can lead to birth injuries if used improperly. For example, medical staff may misinterpret the information on fetal monitor strips or miss signs of fetal distress during labor or delivery.
Medical staff are responsible for taking appropriate and timely action if complications arise. Nurses may attempt to restore normal oxygenation to the baby by changing the mother’s position, administering supplemental oxygen or increasing intravenous fluids. If such routine interventions are ineffective in improving the baby’s condition, an emergency cesarean section may be necessary. A doctor’s failure to act quickly may result in the baby suffering brain injuries, cerebral palsy, developmental delays or even death.
It is important to note that determining fault can be more complicated than it might seem. If you or your child was injured and you believe someone else is fully or partially to blame, contact our personal injury team at Chalik & Chalik to learn more about your rights.
Parents and Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis It doesn’t seem fair. Why did your baby suffer cerebral palsy? Why your family? Sadly, there are some things in life that go unanswered and just don’t make sense. Although we know why this Florida birth injury occurred – due to negligent doctors – it still doesn’t make you feel any better. Many parents of...
New app helps identify risk of premature birth A new app called QUiPP could help doctors predict the risk of preterm deliveries. Infants born before 37 weeks’ gestation are considered premature. Each year 15 million babies worldwide are born prematurely. More than one million die from the resulting birth injures and complications. Doctors use several factors to determine the risk of premature birth...
What to Do (and Not to Do) If Your Child is Having a Seizure When a child is having a seizure, it’s an extremely frightening experience for a parent. It’s important to know what to do should your child have a seizure so you can avoid panic and foster a quick recovery. Possible Causes of Seizure When children have seizures, many parents automatically assume the cause is epilepsy. But...
How fetal macrosomia is linked to birth injuries Doctors are responsible for carefully monitoring both the mother and baby to ensure the pregnancy is progressing normally. One possible complication that can arise is fetal macrosomia. The condition refers to a baby being larger than average for its gestational age. Pregnant women who have been diagnosed with fetal macrosomia require proper medical attention as...
Can You Seek Monetary Compensation If Your Child Suffers Cerebral Palsy During Birth? You may be eligible to seek monetary compensation if your child suffers cerebral palsy during birth. We must demonstrate that another party was at fault for the mistakes that led to cerebral palsy. Liability For the Damages and Costs Cerebral palsy is among the most common birth injuries . Anyone who is at fault for...
What You Should Know About Filing A Birth Injury Lawsuit? If your child has suffered a birth injury due to the negligence of doctors or medical staff, you may be considering taking legal action to pursue fair compensation for medical expenses. Birth injuries can have a lasting impact on your child’s life and will likely require constant medical care. There are a number of important...
What Are Your Legal Options When Your Baby Suffers Birth Injuries In Florida? Your legal options when your baby suffers birth injuries in Florida may include filing a medical malpractice lawsuit for the injuries depending on the circumstances of your case. You might be eligible for compensation if medical malpractice is to blame for your newborn’s birthing injuries. Examples of Medical Malpractice There are many things that can lead to...
Is Erb’s Palsy Curable? There is no one single cure for Erb’s palsy. The likelihood of recovery depends on the severity of the underlying injury. Proper medical and therapeutic care may remedy the effects of the injury or lessen the long-term impact. Unfortunately, the effects may be permanent in the most severe cases of nerve damage. Common Erb’s Palsy...
