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  Birth injury cases typically deal with the questions revolving around cesarean section. Should nursing personnel have recognized ominous fetal heart strip patterns that signaled the need for emergency C-section? Did they notify the attending obstetrician in time for a C-section to have been performed before the baby was injured? Did health care personnel…

  Pitocin (oxytocin) is a hormone used to induce or strengthen labor contractions during childbirth, and can also be used to control postpartum bleeding. Misuse of Pitocin can have serious consequences for both mother and baby, such as oxygen deprivation and subsequent brain damage to the infant or uterine rupture for the mother.

  One of the greatest advances in the field of obstetrics has been the development of electronic fetal heart monitoring. It allows clinicians to evaluate, in real time, the adequacy of fetal oxygenation.

  The position of the baby in the uterus is referred to as its “presentation.” It is important that obstetricians or midwives monitor the baby’s presentation as pregnancy approaches term to determine whether it is in the correct position for vaginal delivery, or whether other measures should be taken.

  From the moment a mother finds out she is pregnant, it is important to make sure proper monitoring is done and that the mother is completely aware of the situation. There are a number of factors of which to be aware, such as vital signs, heart rate, and glucose. The doctor must make…

  If a mother struggles during delivery, the doctor may use certain tools to help. Two of these tools are forceps and vacuum extractors. Forceps are used to help assist the birthing process when the mother is unable to push the baby out. The forceps are usually placed around the head of the baby….

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates an average of 4 million babies are born every year in the United States. Studies suggest that 6 to 8 babies out of every 1,000 will suffer from birth injuries in the nation. This means that 1 in 9,714 Americans are born with a birth injury,…

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy occurs when the fetal brain does receive enough oxygen. Often referred to as “HIE,” Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy can lead to permanent brain damage, cerebral palsy, and death. Common factors that cause HIE include umbilical cord entanglement or prolapse, placental abruption and excessive uterine stimulation. To better understand the condition, we’ve listed…

  The brain requires approximately 20% of the body’s oxygen intake to function properly. Hypoxia occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen. The low levels of oxygen limits brain activity, interrupting neurotransmitters and electrochemical impulses. This can seriously affect the rest of the body. Brain cells can die within five minutes. If…

Approximately 10,000 babies born in the United States will develop cerebral palsy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. That means that 1 in every 323 children will be diagnosed with cerebral palsy. It is a rare childhood disorder that effects the part of the brain that directly controls motor movement, muscle tone…