Navigating the Legal Landscape of Pitocin-Related Birth Injuries

Pregnant women who experience stalled labor or have certain medical conditions might be offered Pitocin by their doctor. Although Pitocin does have numerous benefits, it also comes with a considerable amount of risk. Medical professionals are supposed to monitor the mother and her baby closely for any signs of distress. 

There are numerous reasons your doctor might consider inducing labor by administering certain drugs. One such medication that is commonly used in the induction of labor is Pitocin. If labor has not naturally begun, Pitocin will promote uterine contractions or, in an attempt to facilitate vaginal birth, it can be given to intensify contractions. Pitocin is made from synthetic oxytocin, and although it can significantly speed up labor, taking it comes with several risks. Potentially severe complications linked to Pitocin include fetal distress, uterine rupture, and uterine hyperstimulation. 

If your doctor gave you Pitocin to induce labor and it caused you or your baby harm, you could be eligible for financial compensation. 

What Is Pitocin?

Pitocin is a type of manufactured oxytocin. It is frequently given to pregnant women who have specific fetal or maternal complications, like preeclampsia or maternal diabetes, in order to induce labor.  

Oxytocin, which is naturally produced by the hypothalamus, encourages uterine contractions. When a woman goes into labor, her oxytocin levels increase drastically because uterine contractions and pressure from the baby’s head on her cervix stimulate her body to release oxytocin. Pitocin raises the hormone levels in the body, thereby moving the delivery process along.

How Is Pitocin Used?

In obstetric care, Pitocin is widely used to augment and induce labor. In fact, an estimated 50% of all pregnant women in the United States are given the drug. Dosing a pregnant woman with Pitocin will aid the childbirth process in one of two ways: stimulate uterine contractions or stem postpartum bleeding.

Enhance or Initiate Uterine Contractions

Pregnancy complications, such as maternal diabetes, Rh issues, and preeclampsia, often make it paramount for mothers to deliver their newborns post haste instead of simply waiting for their bodies to handle the birthing process naturally. In these cases, an obstetrician might order Pitocin to expedite a vaginal birth. Mothers who experience delayed labor, one in which her contractions are mild and fail to develop enough strength to inhibit cervical change, might also benefit from taking Pitocin.

Control Postpartum Bleeding

After childbirth, some mothers experience postpartum hemorrhaging or bleeding. In these cases, Pitocin can help prevent or slow uterine bleeding by causing constriction of the uterus, thereby reducing the flow of blood.

How Does Pitocin Work?

To induce labor, Pitocin is injected intravenously. The drug is increased incrementally every 30 to 60 minutes at a rate of 1 to 2 mU/min until cervical dilation of 5 to 6 centimeters is reached and contractions are two to three minutes apart. Contractions should begin within half an hour after Pitocin is administered and subside no more than one hour after the medication has been discontinued. 

Doctors should give the least amount of Pitocin possible in order to reduce unpleasant side effects and potential risks to mother and baby. Once the drug is injected, careful monitoring of fetal heart rate and uterine activity is crucial.

Why Would a Doctor Need to Induce Labor?

According to the Food and Drug Administration, obstetricians should use Pitocin only when medically necessary for the health of the baby or mother. To meet the criteria, one or more of the following issues must be present:  

• Medical problems, such as Rh problems or preeclampsia  
• Prolonged rupture or premature rupture of amniotic membranes
• Maternal diabetes
• Stimulating inertia in labor that has slowed substantially, uterine contractility strength, or stalled labor 
• Fetal growth restriction, when the estimated fetal weight has not yet reached the 10th percentile
• Oligohydramnios, an amniotic fluid insufficiency 
• Pregnancy lasting more than 41 weeks
• Problems with the placenta
• Chorioamnionitis, or an intraamniotic infection

Ultimately, your obstetrician will determine whether or not inducing labor is medically necessary. In some instances, labor induction might be recommended even if the infant is pre-term. Your doctor will weigh the risks of inducing early labor versus carrying the pregnancy to term.

What Risks Are Associated With the Use of Pitocin?

Although using Pitocin to induce labor can be medically advantageous in some circumstances, using it carries considerable risks, including:

Uterine Hyperstimulation

Uterine hyperstimulation takes place when six or more contractions occur every ten minutes over a 30-minute period. Additional contractions decrease the flow of oxygen and blood to the fetus, leading to birth asphyxia. When uterine hyperstimulation occurs, there is a greater chance that the baby will experience brain damage.  

Uterine Rupture

A uterine rupture happens when the uterus rips. A uterine rupture is considered a medical emergency as it could result in consequential blood loss. It can also injure the fetus by causing a decreased flow of oxygen and a slowed heart rate. Insufficient oxygen levels and a reduced heart rate can cause infant brain damage, such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. 

Women who experience a ruptured uterus typically require emergency hysterectomies.

Fetal Distress

Following the administration of Pitocin, some infants exhibit symptoms of fetal distress. Their heart rate can decrease or increase significantly, and their movements can slow. Fetal distress suggests that the infant has an inadequate oxygen supply, which can cause a brain injury.

Were You or Your Child Injured By Pitocin?

While Pitocin can be beneficial if certain complications with the pregnancy arise, it does carry serious risks. Healthcare professionals do not always fully and adequately explain the risks of labor induction and can even pressure patients into taking the drug. Additional issues can and will arise if medical staff fail to appropriately monitor women who have been given Pitocin.

If you or your child were injured due to Pitocin, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To find out if you have a valid birth injury case, speak with an attorney who specializes in birth injuries. The Dallas birth injury attorneys at Rasansky Law Firm can review your medical records, including how much Pitocin you were given and when, and if we feel negligence was committed, we will file a lawsuit against all liable parties and fight to ensure that you and your child receive maximum compensation. Call us at (214) 651-6100 to schedule your free consultation.