Did doctors ignore signs that your baby was in distress during labor? You might have questions about what happened and why no one acted sooner. If your child’s health suffered because a provider failed to respond, you deserve straight answers. A medical malpractice lawyer can review your records, talk to qualified experts, and explain whether your care team followed the proper steps. If they didn’t, a fetal distress lawyer can help you take action in court.
What Is Fetal Distress
Fetal distress happens when a baby starts to struggle before or during labor, often because they aren’t getting enough oxygen. Doctors can catch it by watching the baby’s heart rate, movement, or other signs. If a baby shows signs of fetal distress, care teams must act quickly. Delays can lead to brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.
What Causes Fetal Distress?
Issues that lead to fetal distress syndrome can develop during pregnancy or arise during labor. Possible causes of fetal distress include:
- The umbilical cord getting wrapped up or compressed
- The placenta pulling away from the uterus too early
- High blood pressure or diabetes in the mother
- Labor lasting too long or moving too quickly
- The baby not growing as expected in the womb
- Infections or fever in the mother during labor
Common Signs and Symptoms
When a baby shows signs of distress before or during labor, doctors and nurses must act quickly. If a medical team notices the symptoms early and responds appropriately, they can often prevent serious problems. But if they miss or ignore the signs, it can lead to long-term harm. Here are some common signs and symptoms of fetal distress that every provider should recognize and take seriously:
- Abnormal Heart Rate: If a baby’s heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or with irregular patterns during labor, it could be a sign of low oxygen levels or other serious issues.
- Decreased Movement: Signs that a baby is moving much less than usual, especially in the final weeks of pregnancy, could indicate that the baby is struggling.
- Meconium-Stained Fluid: When a baby passes meconium (stool) into the amniotic fluid before birth, it can be a response to stress and might cause breathing problems if the baby inhales it.
- Low Amniotic Fluid (Oligohydramnios): Too little fluid around the baby can limit movement, cause cord problems, and reduce oxygen, especially during labor.
Legal Rights and Medical Responsibility
Doctors and nurses must watch for signs of fetal distress and respond promptly when they arise. Care teams that ignore the warning signs, respond too late, or use the wrong approach can cause serious harm. If healthcare providers notice fetal distress but don’t take the proper steps, such as ordering tests or changing delivery plans, their actions may constitute medical malpractice.
If you believe your child suffered harm because a medical provider failed to respond to signs of fetal distress, you have the right to ask questions and take legal action. A medical malpractice lawyer from our firm can review what happened and explain whether you might have a case against the provider or the hospital.
Contact Our Philadelphia Fetal Distress Lawyers Now
If you think medical negligence might have caused your child’s injuries, contact Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg, & Jeck, P.C. for a free consultation. Our experienced legal team is here for life’s toughest trials. We will listen to your story, review the facts, and help you explore your options.
