Women give birth every day, but the labor and delivery process is an extremely difficult one. Both of these processes pose a risk to the mother and the baby, so fetal monitoring is of critical importance. Monitoring the baby during the labor and delivery process allows healthcare professionals to properly observe and analyze the unborn baby and respond when a child falls into distress. Medical professionals must not only monitor unborn children, but also respond appropriately when they are in distress.
The fetal heartbeat is the most important aspect to monitor during childbirth. When a fetal heartbeat goes undetected, it can result in asphyxia, paralysis, cerebral palsy, brain damage, and stillbirth. If your child was born with any of these conditions and you believe it was due to medical negligence, our Jacksonville fetal heartbeat malpractice lawyer can help with your case.
How are Unborn Babies’ Heart Rate Monitored?
The heartbeat of unborn babies should be monitored constantly throughout the labor and delivery process. In most cases, doctors monitor a baby’s heart rate using a belt wrapped around the mother’s stomach. Sometimes, electrodes must be attached directly to the fetus, usually on the top of their head. While monitoring the child, a doctor will monitor the heart rate of the child, as well as the variation in the heartbeat. The heart rate of an unborn child should not remain steady, but there should also not be a lot of variation.
Fetal monitoring is so important during the labor and delivery process because doctors need to know when an infant is in distress. Doctors and other healthcare professionals must also know how to properly respond to a baby in distress. For example, if the fetal monitoring shows that a baby is not receiving sufficient oxygen, the doctor should order an emergency Cesarean section so the baby does not suffer harm.
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What is Fetal Distress?
Fetal distress does occur during some labor and deliveries. If an unborn child is in fetal distress, it means they are not receiving sufficient amounts of oxygen or other nutrients. The child obtains oxygen and different nutrients through the mother’s placenta.
When an unborn child suffers from bradycardia, tachycardia, or heart rate decelerations, the child could be at an increased risk of organ or brain damage. Due to this, any time a healthcare professional in the labor or delivery room realizes that a child is in fetal distress, they must respond swiftly and properly to ensure the child does not suffer further harm. Too many times though, medical professionals do not do enough, or they overreact and make the situation worse.
Call Our Fetal Heartbeat Malpractice Lawyer in Jacksonville for a Free Consultation
If your child has been hurt by the negligent actions of medical professionals, our Jacksonville fetal heartbeat malpractice lawyer at Freidin Brown, P.A. can provide the sound legal advice you need and help you obtain the full compensation you deserve.