Fetal distress can be caused by many different things during pregnancy and labor. This condition can lead to serious medical complications for both the mother and the baby.
It is the responsibility of doctors and nurses to watch for warning signs of fetal distress and respond quickly if they occur. Failure to do so can be considered medical malpractice.
Causes
There are a number of issues that can affect the fetus and lead to fetal distress. These can include uterine rupture, maternal complications during labor or delivery and problems with the placenta. When a mother experiences these types of issues, she may need to have an assisted delivery or caesarean section to avoid serious birth injuries for her and the baby.
One of the most common signs of fetal distress is a sudden and significant reduction in the baby’s movements. Many women count on these movements as a way to know how their pregnancy is progressing. When there is a decrease in these movements, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. The doctor may use a fetal heart rate monitor to assess the condition of the fetus and determine whether there is a need for intervention.
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The doctor can also detect fetal distress by using nonstress tests or an ultrasound and biophysical profile. These tests can measure the level of oxygen being delivered to the fetus. If the fetal heart rate drops, it is likely that the baby is not receiving enough oxygen.
If the fetus is suffering from a lack of oxygen in the womb, it may cause a condition called fetal asphyxia. This is a severe type of birth injury that can lead to brain damage and even death.
Other types of fetal distress can be caused by issues with the placenta or umbilical cord. A problem with the umbilical cord can cut off the fetus’s supply of oxygen and nutrients, leading to fetal distress. Other causes of fetal distress include complications with oxytocin and other drugs used during labor to stimulate contractions, maternal infections and pre-eclampsia.
Doctors and midwives are responsible for monitoring the fetus closely throughout pregnancy, labor and childbirth. Failure to do this can lead to a number of serious birth injuries for the baby and mother, including HIE. If you believe your doctor failed to properly monitor your pregnancy or your child was injured during birth, contact the HIE Help Center to discuss your case with an attorney.
Symptoms
A baby suffers from fetal distress when it does not get enough oxygen during labor and delivery. It is a serious condition that can lead to birth injuries such as cerebral palsy, brain damage and even stillbirth. Doctors have a duty to monitor every pregnancy closely and continuously for signs of fetal distress. This includes high-risk pregnancies, such as those caused by gestational diabetes, hypereclampsia and preeclampsia. Failing to detect and treat fetal distress can result in severe complications, including the death of both the mother and the baby.
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Fetal distress is difficult to spot in the womb. Doctors can only detect the symptoms by monitoring a woman’s uterus and checking the fetus’ heart rate. A slowed heart rate or a heart rate that does not rise quickly after contractions can indicate that the fetus is having trouble getting oxygen, usually due to an insufficient blood supply. The fetus gets oxygen from the mother through the placenta and umbilical cord, so any problems with the fetus’s blood flow can cause it to go into distress.
The fetal heart rate is normally between 110 and 160 beats per minute, and the fetus should rise after each contraction. A slowed heart rate, known as bradycardia, or a tachycardia is indicative of a problem that needs immediate attention. Doctors also check for decreased movement in the womb. This can be a sign that the fetus is not well, especially during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Medical professionals should also pay attention to maternal complaints of pain in the pelvic area, including back pain and intense cramping. If these symptoms do not subside, the obstetrician may need to perform an emergency cesarean section to prevent fetal distress from worsening and causing permanent injuries.
If a doctor does not detect and respond to fetal distress, it can lead to a birth injury, such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which causes permanent brain damage in infants. Babies who do not receive immediate treatment for fetal distress can suffer permanent motor disabilities and other health conditions, including cerebral palsy, which affects posture, movement and muscle tone.
Treatment
Fetal distress is an umbrella term for issues that can cause your baby serious harm during the pregnancy, labor and delivery process. When medical professionals are trained to recognize the warning signs, it is often possible to treat them and avoid long-term complications, birth injuries or even death. When a doctor fails to catch and react to fetal distress, it can be the sign of medical malpractice.
The risk of fetal distress increases with certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or pregnancy complications like preeclampsia. In addition, the fetus may have to fight to get oxygen through the umbilical cord due to cord compression or problems with the placenta. If these complications are not detected in time, it can result in a lack of oxygen to the baby and permanent brain damage or cerebral palsy.
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A medical professional should monitor the mother closely and use electronic fetal heart rate monitoring throughout labor to keep track of your baby’s condition. They should also be able to recognize when your fetus is in distress, which usually results in abnormal biophysical profiles (BPP) or a low amniotic fluid level.
If the doctor notices these abnormalities, they must act quickly. They can administer fluids and medication, change the mother’s position or, in severe cases, perform an emergency cesarean section. The exact treatment depends on the underlying cause of fetal distress and can vary.
Unfortunately, doctors must walk a fine line when detecting fetal distress. They must be quick to respond and not overreact, which could cause a false alarm or worsen the situation by taking too much time to decide on treatment options. Even a delay of five minutes could have catastrophic consequences for the fetus, such as a prolonged lack of oxygen that can lead to brain damage and cerebral palsy. As you approach your due date, your prenatal appointments should become more frequent as the doctor looks for certain dangers that might compromise your baby’s oxygen and nutrient supply, including umbilical cord complications, such as cord prolapse or compression or nuchal cord.
Legal Issues
Fetal distress is a life-threatening complication that can be caused by numerous issues that occur during pregnancy or childbirth. Medical professionals must be able to recognize the signs of fetal distress and respond to them quickly. When they fail to do so, it can lead to serious injuries or death for the baby, resulting in a claim for medical negligence.
The legal term for fetal distress is birth asphyxia, but a number of different conditions or situations can cause it too. Medical professionals may confuse the symptoms with other complications, which can lead to misdiagnosis and improper treatment. The condition can also be caused by maternal health problems, labor complications and other factors that impact the fetus’s oxygen supply during delivery.
Many cases of fetal distress are preventable. The risk for the condition increases if a woman has certain preexisting health problems such as kidney disease, cholestastis or diabetes or if she smokes or is obese. Keeping up with regular appointments and informing the doctor of any changes in fetal movements is another important step.
A competent gynecologist and birth team will monitor both the mother and fetus constantly. The doctors should be able to detect the presence of fetal distress before it becomes a medical emergency, and they should also be able to diagnose the condition when it does occur.
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Failing to act in a timely manner when a fetus is in distress can result in permanent injury or death to the baby, including brain damage and cerebral palsy. The fetus needs to be delivered as soon as possible to return the baby to an oxygen-rich state, and this is often done through a C-section. During a delivery, the doctor can also use forceps to help ease the baby out of the uterus.
For a case to succeed, you must prove that your doctor failed to adhere to the accepted standards of care and procedures for this particular situation and that his or her actions directly caused the fetal distress, resulting in injury or death. This requires extensive evidence, including medical records, witness statements and expert opinions.
