Today we will address what can trigger the need for an emergency C-section during labor and delivery. The truth of the matter is that there can be a lot of factors which can impact a doctor’s need to perform an emergency C-section. With that said, for today’s video, we will discuss non-reassuring readings on the electronic fetal heart monitor, and specifically prolonged late decelerations, from a medical legal standpoint.
Why The Electronic Fetal Heart Monitor Matters
Mom, when you were giving birth you probably remember the nurses and doctors placing a belt or strap around your belly. One of the reasons was done was to allow a device to record certain findings from your baby onto a screen or paper trial. Doctors and nurses are trained to read and interpret the information that is fed out of this machine.
Because these readings are essentially in real time, it is important for doctors and nurses to properly interpret the strips. The condition fetal distress can be diagnosed with the aid of the electronic fetal heart monitor because it allows doctors and nurses to see how well your baby is tolerating the delivery. Failure to diagnose and treat fetal distress can, in some instances, lead to the brain injury HIE, or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
What Can Trigger The Need For An Emergency C-Section
As for what can trigger the need for an emergency C-section, a reading of prolonged late decelerations can be reason for concern for doctors and nurses. This is one set of circumstances which can mean that a baby is in fetal distress, especially when other conservative measures do not seem to be alleviating the late deceleration patterns.
In basic terms, late deceleration patterns can suggest that there is decreased blood flow getting to the baby. The reason for decreased blood flow can vary. For example, if the umbilical cord becomes compressed, then this can result in a decrease in blood flow.
As mentioned above, the condition HIE can reflect a reduced level of blood and oxygen which can lead to a brain injury. The brain injury can reveal itself following birth with a baby that is blue or discolored, needs immediately breathing and oxygen support, suffers from seizures, among other things.
Because of the issues that prolonged late decelerations present, these patterns, especially when coupled with other issues surrounding labor and delivery, can give rise to doctors taking with families about moving to an emergency C-section. One other issue with cases like this can be, what the C-section timely. In other words, did doctors wait too long before moving to the C-section?
To speak with me further regarding your baby’s HIE diagnosis and whether your C-section, if one was performed, was done in time, I invite you to pick up the phone and call me. My contact information is located below, and I would be happy to listen to your baby’s story.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
1-833-4 BABY HELP
