When labor is prolonged or when it has not begun, both the mother and the baby may be at a higher risk of suffering injuries. In order to speed up labor, doctors may sometimes administer a drug known as Pitocin to the mother. Pitocin is a synthetic drug that mimics oxytocin, a hormone that is naturally released by a pregnant woman’s body as she prepares to give birth.
This hormone makes the mother’s uterus contract during labor. Strong, regular uterine contractions are critical for pushing out the baby and for ensuring that the entire placenta is expelled. In cases where Pitocin is not properly administered by the medical professional, it can lead to birth injuries.
What Are the Harmful Effects of Pitocin?
One of the most serious risks from wrongful administration of Pitocin or when it is overused, is that the contractions can become too strong. This may prove injurious to the uterus and the placenta. Sometimes, it can cause the placenta to detach from the uterine wall too early during the stages of labor. Contractions may also put additional pressure on the umbilical cord cutting off oxygen flow to the fetus.
Even a short time without adequate oxygen supply may result in serious birth injuries including irreversible brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy. If Pitocin is not administered properly, the contractions may also come too close together. This means the infant may not get much-needed recovery time, which can also cause brain damage and long-term issues such as cerebral palsy, seizures, hypoxia and so on.
Some other severe side effects that may be caused by Pitocin misuse include:
• Uterine rupture
• Stroke
• Fluid in the lungs
• Seizure
• Death
Constant Monitoring is Key
Such dangers and health complications underscore why it is crucial that the medical providers responsible for the mother and child’s care constantly monitor how and when Pitocin is administered. A doctor should also consider ordering a Cesarean section (C-section) if complications are imminent. Doctors and hospitals should be ready to perform an emergency C-section in case of complications. Failure to order or perform a C-section in time to prevent birth injuries may be considered medical negligence (carelessness).
When labor stops progressing, some type of intervention is important or both the mother and child may suffer injuries that are often serious. If labor is being induced for a valid medical reason, Pitocin use may be appropriate. However, it is not appropriate and may be termed negligent (careless) if a doctor or medical professional who say, is in a rush to leave the hospital starts Pitocin to accelerate labor. If the doctor recommends Pitocin, a patient has the right to ask the reasoning behind it and learn about options. Patients should always be made aware of such options, so they can make an informed decision about their medical care.
Medical Negligence (Carelessness) and Compensation
As New York personal injury lawyers, we have seen many instances of cerebral palsy that occur due to medical negligence (carelessness) during labor and delivery. It is the responsibility of medical professionals to monitor the condition of the fetus and the mother and make decisions that help reduce or eliminate a risky delivery. If your child has cerebral palsy he or she may be able to receive compensation that helps pay for medical expenses, lost income, cost of therapy, future treatments, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
The experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. One of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
We have seen many cases where New York City Health and Hospital Corporation facilities deliver babies who are born with cerebral palsy or brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) stemming from negligence (carelessness), and/or medical malpractice in the labor and delivery etc. of the children.
The following list identifies some of these hospitals (operated by New York City Health and Hospital Corporation):
• Jacobi Hospital aka Bronx Municipal 1400 Pelham Parkway South Bronx, New York 10461 718-918-5000
• Lincoln Hospital 234 East 149th Street Bronx, New York 10451 718-579-5000
• North Central Bronx Hospital 3424 Kossuth Avenue Bronx, New York 10467 718-519-5000
• Coney Island Hospital 2601 Ocean Parkway Brooklyn, New York 11235 718-616-3000
• Kings County Hospital 451 Clarkson Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11203 718-245-3131
• Woodhull Hospital 760 Broadway Brooklyn, New York 11206 718-963-8000
• Bellevue Hospital 462 First Avenue New York, New York 10016 212-562-5555
• Harlem Hospital 506 Lenox Avenue New York, New York 10037 212-939-1000
• Metropolitan Hospital 1901 First Avenue New York, New York 10029 212-423-6262
• Elmhurst Hospital 79-01 Broadway Elmhurst, New York 11373 718-334-4000
• Queens Hospital Center 82-68 164th Street Jamaica, New York 11432 718-883-3000
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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