Fetal monitoring is a crucial practice during labor and delivery that helps ensure the mother’s and baby’s well-being. By closely monitoring the baby’s heart rate and other vital signs, healthcare providers can detect potential issues early and take prompt action to prevent or treat complications.

Unfortunately, if fetal monitoring is performed incorrectly or medical professionals fail to respond to concerning signs, it can lead to serious birth injuries like brain damage or cerebral palsy. Read on to learn what fetal monitoring is, how it’s done, why it’s essential, and the dangers of improper or negligent monitoring.

At Fieger Law, we fight for your family when improper fetal monitoring leads to harm. Work with our experienced Michigan birth injury lawyers to secure the compensation your child deserves.

What Is Fetal Monitoring?

Fetal monitoring involves observing the baby’s heart rate and rhythm during labor to ensure they are coping well with the stresses of childbirth. Monitoring helps detect any signs of distress that might indicate a birth complication and require medical intervention. The baby’s heart rate can provide valuable insights into their oxygen levels and health, making it a central focus throughout labor.

How Is Fetal Monitoring Done?

Doctors use two main types of fetal monitoring: external and internal. Here is an overview of how they work:

Monitoring Type Method Invasiveness Usage
External Fetal Monitoring The doctor places a Doppler ultrasound transducer on the mother’s abdomen to measure the baby’s heart rate. It is typically combined with a tocodynamometer to measure contractions. Non-invasive Commonly used throughout labor to continuously monitor the baby’s heart rate.
Internal Fetal Monitoring The provider attaches an electrode to the baby’s scalp through the cervix to obtain a more accurate heart rate reading. More invasive Used when external monitoring is insufficient or when the baby’s heart rate needs closer attention.

Why Is Fetal Monitoring Done?

Fetal monitoring ensures the baby’s safety and detects potential problems as early as possible. When done correctly, it can alert healthcare providers to:

  • Fetal Distress: Abnormal heart rate patterns may indicate that the baby is not getting enough oxygen, which could lead to serious complications like brain damage if not addressed immediately.
  • Umbilical Cord Problems: Fetal monitoring can identify issues such as umbilical cord prolapse or compression, allowing for quick intervention.
  • Uterine Rupture: This rare but serious complication can cause significant harm to both the mother and baby. Fetal monitoring can detect changes in the baby’s heart rate that may indicate a rupture.
  • Placental Abruption: This occurs when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall before delivery. Fetal monitoring can help detect signs of fetal distress resulting from placental abruption.
  • Other Complications: Fetal monitoring can also detect issues related to preeclampsia, infection, or other maternal health conditions that could affect the baby during labor.

If hospital staff failed to properly monitor your baby, leading to a birth injury, you have the right to seek justice. Fieger Law’s team of qualified birth injury lawyers can investigate the situation and negotiate for the settlement your child deserves.

Risks of Improper Fetal Monitoring

Fetal monitoring is essential for safe delivery, but medical professionals must interpret and act on the data quickly. Failure to do so can lead to serious birth injuries, such as:

  • Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): When signs of oxygen deprivation are missed, a baby can suffer from HIE. This brain injury may lead to long-term disabilities like cerebral palsy or developmental delays.
  • Cerebral Palsy: Prolonged oxygen deprivation due to unrecognized fetal distress can result in cerebral palsy, impacting your baby’s movement and muscle control.
  • Stillbirth: In extreme cases, failure to respond to abnormal heart rate patterns can result in stillbirth. About 21,000 babies are stillborn in the U.S. each year, some of which may have been prevented with adequate fetal monitoring.
  • Physical Injuries: Delayed responses to complications can cause bodily injuries like Klumpke’s or Erb’s palsy, which could have been avoided with proper monitoring.

Contact our cerebral palsy attorneys at Fieger Law if failure to monitor your baby’s vitals during childbirth led to a birth injury. We know how to take on hospitals and their insurers and can help you secure maximum compensation for your child’s future.

Call Fieger Law If You Suspect Medical Negligence

If you believe your child’s birth injury was caused by a healthcare professional’s failure to correctly use or respond to fetal monitoring, you may have a case for medical malpractice.

At Fieger Law, our experienced team of Michigan birth injury lawyers helps families seek justice and compensation for the harm caused by medical negligence. We have won multi-million dollar settlements for affected families, including one of the highest birth injury awards in the U.S.

Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you. Let us protect your child’s health and future by holding those responsible accountable and securing the compensation your family deserves.