Blog

Labor can be hard for all parties involved, particularly the fetus. Doctors are required to act fast and monitor vital signs in order to mitigate an emergency in a timely manner. Mothers who have their water break unexpectedly are usually advised to make it to the hospital in a timely manner so they can receive the right medical care by professionals who are experienced in the miracle that is childbirth.

How a Child’s Heart is Affected During Delivery

The heart is responsible for ensuring that rich, oxygenated blood reaches the different organs as well as every nook and cranny in one’s body. Children’s hearts are particularly sensitive before delivery because they have to do extra work to ensure everything is in biological homeostasis as the newborn begins its difficult journey through the birth canal and into a new world.

Pitocin – An Unsafe Birthing Aid

Sometimes, a pregnant woman in labor may have a hard time pushing the baby through the canal. In such cases, doctors administer Pitocin, a synthetic form of oxytocin which prompts the cervix and womb in general to contract, helping the baby move through it. While Pitocin is effective, it does have the unusual side effect of producing very strong contractions. This can in turn affect the baby adversely by clamping on the child’s neck or umbilical cord, interfering with blood and nutrient supply, leading to the fetus suffering an irregular heartbeat.

The brain is the master controller of the body. As a result, it requires oxygenated blood every second one is awake and depends on the heart to do its part to supply this. When the baby’s heart starts beating slowly or irregularly, a condition known as badycardia, the brain suffers and doesn’t receive enough oxygen. This in turn leads to brain cell death and the likelihood of a child being born with cerebral palsy is tripled.

 Birth Injury Lawyer Help

If your child developed cerebral palsy due to Pitocin administration which led to an irregular heartbeat during labor, call us on 877-561-3004 and speak to our best birth injury attorney in order find out about your legal options for compensation. Cerebral palsy is a tragic and expensive condition to live with, and you shouldn’t have to pay for your child’s upkeep if a doctor’s negligence led to their developmental disability. Thanks for choosing us, and we look forward to hearing from you.