Fetal Distress

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, the sad reality is that your doctor may have missed obvious signs of fetal distress that ultimately led to your child’s injuries. Picking up on these signs could potentially have allowed your doctor to react and treat the distress and prevent the ultimate injury that occurred. If your doctor unreasonably missed signs of fetal distress before or during delivery, you may have a claim for negligence or malpractice against your health care providers.

4 Signs Your Doctor Missed Picking Up on Fetal Distress

What are some of the common signs of fetal distress that your doctor should be aware of? The following is an overview:

1. Your doctor failed to notice an abnormal heart rate pattern. This pattern is measured by using a cardiotocography (CTG) trace, or by observation. The pattern is analyzed to determine whether the baby’s heart rate is high or low during and between contractions. Unfortunately, some doctors fail to read a CTG trace properly, which can then lead to the development of cerebral palsy in the baby.
2. Your doctor failed to notice meconium staining. Meconium is the waste that can be passed into the amniotic fluid by a stressed baby. The meconium may show in during a vaginal examination or it may leak out of the mother.
3. Your doctor failed to notice reduced fetal movement. If a baby suddenly stops moving as frequently while in the womb, this may be a sign that the baby is not receiving adequate oxygen.
4. Your doctor failed to notice your baby had abnormal fetal scalp blood test results. If the pH levels were too high or too low, your doctor should have responded quickly.

Determining whether or not to pursue a claim for a birth injury arising out of a doctor’s negligence is not an easy process. Fortunately, we are here to help. We encourage you to reach out today for a free consultation at 713-425-6445.