Labor Induction Errors

For some women, childbirth does not happen when it should. When a mother is overdue or when there is a health risk the child, the doctor may induce labor. While this can help prevent injury to both the mother and child, it can also cause harm if not handled properly. If you or your child has been injured as a result of a labor induction error, it is important to reach out to a seasoned Baltimore birth injury attorney as soon as possible. We will meticulously analyze the facts of your case to see if malpractice occurred. At Arfaa Law Group, we understand how to establish these complex cases and can put our knowledge to use in your case.

On average, women carry their child for nine months prior to giving birth. However, when labor is not progressing properly, medical intervention may be needed. Doctors will often induce labor by administering Pitocin, a synthetic hormone used to speed up labor when medically necessary. Specifically, the drug accelerates contractions and allows a woman to have a vaginal birth rather than resorting to a caesarean section. While labor induction can be very helpful, it comes with great risks. If a physician is not careful in monitoring the dosage of Pitocin, both the mother and child’s health can be at risk due to this labor induction error.

When Pitocin is administered in too high of a dose, the mother may be at risk of cardiac arrhythmia, pelvic hematoma, rupture of the uterus, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or even death. The risks for the mother can have serious consequences for the unborn child as well. Too much Pitocin can slow the heartbeat of the baby, cause lack of oxygen, liver failure, and even death. If the child survives, he or she may suffer permanent injuries such as brain damage from lack of oxygen, cerebral palsy from lack of oxygen, long-term liver damage, and heart problems.

Since both the mother and baby are in a vulnerable position when labor needs to be induced, a labor and delivery team should be acutely aware of all risks involved with labor induction and the use of Pitocin. This means any labor-inducing drug should be administered in the correct dose and the mother and baby must be closely monitored. If the baby experienced any distress, medical professionals should immediately identify and treat the issue to minimize risk of harm. This may involve performing an emergency caesarean section.

It is important to note that not all adverse outcomes are the result of medical malpractice. Complications sometimes occur in the labor and delivery process and this does not necessarily mean a medical professional was negligent. If a doctor was qualified, upheld the appropriate standard of care, and completed all the necessary steps in identifying and treating your condition, and you suffered injuries or complications despite his or her care, it is likely not medical malpractice. In other words, undesirable results do not automatically mean malpractice, though an experienced lawyer can help you assess whether your case falls into this category.

In order to establish medical malpractice, you must demonstrate that your doctor failed to provide you with the appropriate standard of care and that failure resulted in some harm. The standard of care refers to the level of care that a reasonably competent doctor would have used under the same or similar circumstances. In medical malpractice cases, the standard of care is established through testimony by medical experts who give their opinion about what the standard of care should have been in the case as well as how it was breached.

If you or a loved one has experienced injured due to a labor induction error, it is imperative to seek legal counsel. At Arfaa Law Group, our seasoned Baltimore birth injury attorneys understand how to investigate these cases to determine if malpractice took place. We strongly believe that medical professionals must be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof. We understand how stressful any issue regarding your child can be, which is why we will handle your case with the utmost compassion. To speak to us today, call today 410-889-1850 or contact us online.