In various circumstances, inducing labor can be necessary to mitigate the risk of complications for both the mother and the fetus. While inducing labor can be safe – and babies are safely born following induced labor in the United States every day – it presents certain risks as well. One of these is the risk of uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation, which is closely associated with the use of Pitocin and other labor-inducing drugs. Seek help for your birth injury case from the trusted Connecticut uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation lawyers at Berkowitz Hanna.
Uterine tachysystole, or hyperstimulation, is a condition characterized by abnormal contraction activity prior to labor. This can present in the form of either an unusually high number of contractions, contractions of increased intensity, or both. While uterine tachysystole is not inherently dangerous, it can present various risks for the fetus; and, if not managed appropriately, it can potentially lead to significant and permanent birth injuries.
The most serious risks associated with uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation relate to fetal oxygen deprivation. When an expecting mother experiences an unusually high number of contractions or contractions of unusual intensity, this results in less oxygen being delivered to the fetus through the placenta. A steady supply of oxygen is essential to the fetus’s development and well-being up to and through the point of delivery; and, when an expecting mother experiences uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation, emergency medical intervention will often be necessary in order to ensure the birth of a healthy baby.
When an expecting mother goes into labor, the naturally-produced hormone oxytocin plays a critical role in the process. Oxytocin stimulates the uterus, causing it to contract, and ultimately pushing the fetus into and through the birth canal.
Pitocin is a synthetic form of oxytocin. When it is necessary to induce labor, one option is to administer Pitocin as a substitute for the mother’s natural oxytocin. If an expecting mother has an adverse reaction to Pitocin, or if too much Pitocin is administered, then this can lead to uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation.
While Pitocin is the primary drug used to induce labor in the United States, misoprostol (Cytotec) may be used in some cases as well. Both drugs present the same risks with regard to uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation.
Uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation can potentially lead to a number of different complications. Depending on the specific effects of the hyperstimulation, these complications can potentially affect both the mother and the fetus. The primary risks associated with uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation are:
Due to the severe risks of uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation when administering labor-inducing drugs, doctors must carefully monitor the mother’s condition and monitor for signs of fetal distress. If the mother’s contractions become potentially dangerous, it may be necessary to perform an emergency cesarean section (C-section) delivery to protect both the mother’s and the fetus’s health.
With this in mind, there are various issues related to uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation that can potentially support claims for malpractice. Failing to consider all pertinent risk factors prior to administering a labor-inducing drug, administering too much Pitocin, failing to adequately monitor the mother and the fetus, and failing to intervene when necessary are all grounds for seeking just compensation. If you have questions about your family’s legal rights and would like to speak with an attorney, we encourage you to contact us for a free consultation.
In cases of uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation caused by medical malpractice, parents can seek financial compensation for the effects suffered by both the mother and the child. This includes compensation for the family’s financial costs and the various forms of non-financial harm that both the mother and the child endure.
While a full recovery is often possible, in some cases, the consequences of uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation caused by medical malpractice can last a lifetime. With this in mind, it is extremely important for families to make sure they seek just compensation for the past, present, and future costs of their doctors’ negligence. At Berkowitz Hanna, we work closely with our clients to ensure that we are seeking full compensation for all of the financial and non-financial costs of their doctors’ mistakes. Typically, our uterine hyperstimulation attorneys will seek just compensation for costs including:
At Berkowitz Hanna, we represent families in birth injury cases throughout Connecticut. We offer free initial consultations, and we do not charge any fees or costs unless we win. To speak with an experienced Connecticut uterine tachysystole/hyperstimulation lawyer in confidence, please call or inquire online today.
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