The spinal cord transmits information from the body to the brain and vice versa. Although the spinal column protects this bundle of nerves, a strike to which the vertebrae are fractured or dislocated […]
Going through labor and childbirth is not easy, even when everything goes as hoped. You trust that your obstetrician and support staff are prepared to address any complications that may arise. You trust that your birthing team has been trained properly, will follow all protocols and procedures, and know exactly what to do should anything go wrong. Sadly, not every healthcare professional meets the medical standards that are required of them. When a doctor or nurse is negligent, they can cause serious and lasting birth traumas to newborn babies. One such situation where exceptional care is required is when fetal distress occurs. Medical professionals are expected to know how to identify fetal distress and respond appropriately.
Fetal distress is a condition wherein a fetus exhibits symptoms of distress during late-stage pregnancy or labor. Today, the term fetal distress has largely been replaced with non-reassuring fetal status. There are numerous reasons why a fetus may display signs of distress, including reactions to medications, labor, or problems with the placenta or umbilical cord. Non-reassuring fetal status has the potential to be dangerous and can easily cause serious complications for both the mother and her baby. Your obstetrician should routinely check for indications of fetal distress throughout your pregnancy.
Some common symptoms of fetal distress include:
A lack of oxygen to the baby is the most common cause of fetal distress. A fetus gets its oxygen from its mother. She inhales oxygen into her lungs, and from there, her blood carries it to the placenta. It then passes through the placenta and is passed into the fetus's blood. Any disruption to this process can result in fetal distress.
Other medical conditions that can result in non-reassuring fetal status or fetal distress include:
An obstetrician can diagnose non-reassuring fetal status by reading the fetus’s heart rate. Abnormal patterns in the heart rate, or a low heart rate, can indicate fetal distress. Monitoring the fetus’s heart rate is a reliable method of determining how it is tolerating pregnancy and labor.
During pregnancy, your doctor may order additional tests to observe the heart rate, such as:
Based on your specific circumstances, your obstetrician will monitor your fetus’s heart rate either intermittently or constantly while you are in labor. Constant monitoring involves wearing an electronic device around your stomach that continuously reads the fetal heart rate. Intermittent monitoring means that your doctor will check the fetal heart rate at predetermined intervals, such as every hour.
The most common ways to track fetal heart rate for signs of fetal distress are:
Once you are in labor, there are several things your obstetrician can do to alleviate fetal distress. They include:
If your baby is in serious distress, your doctor might have to deliver it immediately. If the baby is sitting low enough in your uterus and you are fully dilated, this may be accomplished with the use of a vacuum extractor or forceps. If not, an emergency C-section will need to be performed. Your doctor should talk you through everything that is going on and why they have cause for concern.
Fetal distress that is not promptly identified and properly addressed can have a permanent impact on your child. A lack of oxygen during childbirth can result in cerebral palsy, brain injury, and stillbirth. If your baby is showing signs of distress, your doctor should make every effort to deliver them safely and before serious problems arise.
If your baby sustained injuries due to improperly treated non-reassuring fetal status, you may be eligible for compensation. To determine if you have a viable birth injury case, contact an experienced lawyer who specializes in birth injury cases. The Dallas birth injury lawyers at Rasansky Law Firm can review your medical records, determine if negligence was committed, and file a lawsuit seeking maximum compensation on your behalf. Call (214) 651-6100 to schedule your free consultation.
Note: The information that was utilized in this post was gathered from the use of secondary sources. This information used has not been confirmed or independently verified. If you locate any information that is not correct, please contact our firm as soon as possible so that we can make the appropriate corrections. If you find any information that is false, we will remove or correct the post immediately after it is brought to our attention.
Disclaimer: As a valued member of the Dallas community, Rasansky Law Firm’s goal is to improve the safety of all residents in the great state of Texas. These posts should not be viewed as a solicitation for business and the information included herein should not be taken as medical or legal advice. The photos used in this post are not representative of the actual crash scene.
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