The process of labor is a drawn-out and painful one for most expectant mothers. Doctors do their part to ensure that both the mother and baby are taken care of and that none of them suffer adverse effects of the birthing process. During labor, the uterus contracts and expands in a rhythmic manner, causing the baby to move from the womb, through the cervix, then the birth canal from where it comes out into a new world.
Pitocin for Labor
When contractions are far and few between, doctors may choose to administer something called Pitocin, which is a type of artificial oxytocin, a hormone responsible for uterine contractions. This drug, though effective, can cause serious side effects if not administered in the proper manner. For example, Pitocin may cause abnormally strong contractions which can deprive the placenta a chance to recharge in order to supply oxygen to the child, which in turn can lead to the death of their brain cells. Pitocin can also cause the cervix to clamp on the baby’s soft head in transit to the birth canal, leading to severe head trauma that can end in the baby developing cerebral palsy. Due to the unnatural action of Pitocin, babies may also be born with acidemia, which is basically acidic blood, which can kill vital brain cells once it reaches this area.
Medical Malpractice and Birth Injuries
Doctors are required to exercise caution when administer Pitocin. For instance, they should carefully monitor the mother’s and baby’s vitals. On top of that, they should step in and mitigate any kind of fetal or maternal distress by providing the mother with more oxygen, administering something that may lessen the contractions on the mother’s cervix, as well as correctly read the figures on the blood pressure, fetal and heartbeat monitors. Failure to do this is considered negligent medical practice, and it is possible to file a birth injury lawsuit in order to recover compensation to help pay for your child’s treatment.
Birth Injury Legal Help
If your child’s brain is affected by Pitocin administration, they are most likely going to develop some kind of developmental disability which may be permanent. It is estimated that parents spend a little over a million dollars taking care of children born with cerebral palsy due to birth injury. If someone else caused your child’s birth injuries, it is only fair that they pay for the medical treatments they will need now and in the future. If you’d like to know what your options are with regard to birth injury cases, please call us today on 877-561-3004 for your free consultation. Thanks for choosing us, and we look forward to hearing you.