Failure to Notice Childbirth/Labor Complications: Our Lawyers Can Help
Fetal distress is when a baby shows signs of struggle during late pregnancy and labor. Failure to detect signs of fetal distress, like changes in fetal heart rate, can put the life of both the baby and mother at risk.
At Younker Hyde Macfarlane, our attorneys help hold medical professionals liable when their negligence has caused injury or harm during pregnancy or labor. If you believe your family has been harmed by a medical professional’s failure to notice childbirth or labor complications, our lawyers can help. Please contact our Utah, and Salt Lake City, attorneys to discuss your claim.
What Is Fetal Distress?
Fetal distress, also called non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS), refers to any signs that a baby is in danger, unwell, or struggling during late pregnancy or labor.
An unborn baby may become distressed for many reasons that may include issues with the umbilical cord, placental abruption, uterine rupture, abnormal position of the fetus, reactions to medications, the stress of labor, among other possible problems.
There are many signs of fetal distress, but some of the most common include:
- An abnormal decrease or increase in fetal heart rate
- Low amniotic fluid
- Decreased fetal movement over a period of time
- Meconium in the amniotic fluid
- Vaginal bleeding
- Fetal growth restriction
- Abnormal uterine cramping
- Abnormal fetal tests
Failure to Notice Labor Complications and Fetal Distress
Failure to notice labor complications and the signs of fetal distress can put the health of both the mother and unborn baby at risk. This can happen when a mother and fetus are not properly monitored during labor or late pregnancy.
For example, failing to monitor a mother’s contractions and the baby’s heart rate at the same time can lead to fetal distress going undetected. Failing to notice fetal distress can lead to delayed treatments, like an emergency Cesarean section (C-section), which can lead to fetal oxygen deprivation, brain injury, organ failure, or death.
Labor complications, like umbilical cord prolapse, uterine rupture, abnormal position of the fetus, or preeclampsia, are dangerous situations that need immediate attention. Failure to notice complications during delivery can result in permanent injury or even death to the baby or mother.
Our Lawyers Can Help
When doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals fail to notice childbirth complications or fetal distress, and the baby or mother suffers harm as a result, it may be possible to recover compensation for damages through a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Our medical malpractice lawyers can help by gathering evidence, including testimony from expert witnesses and medical records, to build a strong case when medical malpractice has occurred. Our attorneys work tirelessly to recover the maximum settlement and hold medical professionals liable for their negligence.
Schedule a Consultation
If you or your child were injured during pregnancy or labor as a result of a doctor or other medical professional’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit. To discuss your claim and learn more about your legal options, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with our Utah attorneys.