When expecting a baby, most parents focus on a safe and healthy delivery. However, there are some lesser-known conditions that can pose serious risks to both mother and baby. One of these is uterine tachysystole, a condition that occurs when contractions happen too frequently, potentially leading to dangerous outcomes.
What Is Uterine Tachysystole?
Uterine tachysystole occurs when a mother experiences more than five contractions within 10 minutes. These excessive contractions can stress the uterus and reduce oxygen flow to the baby. When the uterus contracts too often, it interrupts the blood flow from the mother to the placenta, where the baby receives vital oxygen and nutrients.
Uterine Tachysystole: A Hidden Danger to Mothers and Babies That Can Lead to HIE
On a fetal heart monitor, uterine tachysystole presents as a pattern of rapid, frequent contractions. Medical providers should watch for signs that the baby is in distress due to reduced oxygen. Without timely intervention, uterine tachysystole can result in a condition called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a serious brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen to the baby during labor and delivery.
How Uterine Tachysystole Impacts Fetal Oxygenation
The frequent contractions associated with uterine tachysystole do not allow the uterus to relax properly, meaning the placenta cannot refill with oxygenated blood between contractions. This reduction in oxygen can lead to significant harm, including permanent brain damage to the baby. Medical providers should act immediately to resolve uterine tachysystole and avoid the risk of HIE.
If you believe that tachysystole played a role in your baby’s HIE brain injury, a birth injury lawyer can investigate the facts surrounding labor and delivery to determine if medical negligence was involved. To speak with me further about your baby’s HIE brain injury at birth you can reach me at my contact information below.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
9701 Apollo Dr. Suite 100
Largo, Maryland 20774
301-850-4832
1-833-4 BABY HELP
