What happens if a doctor fails to diagnose fetal distress during child birth?

Answer:

When is a doctor liable for birth injuries? A doctor is liable when he or she did not follow the medical standard of care in treating a patient. In the case of fetal distress, a doctor who fails to diagnose the distress is liable for medical negligence. Failure to diagnose fetal distress during child birth can lead to devastating results including brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, irreversible conditions or even stillbirth.

OB/GYN professionals have a duty to monitor and evaluate the well-being of both mother and baby during the labor and delivery process. If there are signs of fetal distress, the doctor may be called upon to do a prompt C-section to ensure the child's well-being.

Causes

Fetal distress can be caused by many various problems that arise during labor. For example, a prolapsed umbilical cord, an umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's head or neck or a baby in a breech position, may in distress in the form of hypoxia or an accelerated heart rate. If appropriate and expeditious steps are not taken, prolonged fetal distress could result in a birth injury.

Distress can also be caused by a mother's elevated blood pressure or an infection in the mother's system.

Signs of Fetal Distress

Experienced OB/GYN personnel should know the signs of fetal distress. These signs may include but are not limited to:

a mother statement that she no longer feels the baby moving;
tests showing a high level of acid in the infant's blood;
indications that the mother's amniotic fluid contains meconium (fetal bowel movements)

Any of these conditions may indicate impeded oxygen flow to the baby's brain. If not addressed, the baby may suffer irreversible brain damage. Other risks are cerebral palsy and catastrophic developmental disorders.

That's a very serious problem, because starving the brain of oxygen can lead to brain damage if it's not addressed quickly. Babies with fetal distress are at risk for a spectrum of serious birth injuries, including cerebral palsy and serious developmental disorders.

If you suspect that your OB/GYN failed to diagnose fetal distress which has resulted in injury to your newborn or has caused a stillbirth, talk to a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.

References:

When is a Doctor Liable for Birth Injuries?

Get Informed - Medical Malpractice Laws & Information

Medical Malpractice Basics - Learn about the basic elements of a medical malpractice case.

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Birth-Related Medical Malpractice - Childbirth injuries are among the most common reasons a medical malpractice case will arise.

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