Many women in labor will be given Pitocin, but in some cases, these women or their newborns will experience serious illness or injury. If you or someone you love suffered a birth injury, and you have reason to believe the use of Pitocin was responsible, you may have a medical malpractice lawsuit on your hands. Wilt and Thompson, PLLC, is ready to answer your questions.
The use of Pitocin is not without risks, but if your healthcare provider failed to carefully monitor you and your baby and either of you became ill or injured, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Continue reading to learn more about what Pitocin is, how it can cause birth injuries, and how you can hold your healthcare provider accountable for their negligent actions.
Pitocin is an injection of the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin is the hormone that causes women to go into labor. It causes the uterus to begin contracting, thus beginning the labor process.
Women are given Pitocin in several circumstances, but the most common of which is to speed up the labor process or to induce labor. Pitocin may also be given to women who are pregnant and need to induce an abortion, or women who are experiencing bleeding after childbirth.
The use of Pitocin during labor often increases the strength of the contractions more so than contractions that would occur naturally. The amount of oxytocin in the body is being delivered more quickly than the body is producing it, thereby increasing the strength and occurrence of contractions.
Pitocin is a synthetic oxytocin, and therefore has its risks. The excessive contractions can obstruct the blood flow and oxygen from the baby to the placenta, causing fetal distress. The baby’s head can then be compressed against the mother’s pelvis, causing brain damage or other birth complications such as shoulder dystocia and birth asphyxia.
The use of Pitocin can be successful, but only if the mother and baby are being carefully monitored throughout labor and delivery. Then, if complications do occur, the healthcare providers must be prepared to handle the complications appropriately.
If they are unprepared or fail to notice the signs and symptoms of Pitocin complications, or if they prescribe the use of Pitocin unnecessarily, a medical malpractice lawsuit may be appropriate. Only a qualified medical malpractice lawyer can give you a better idea of whether you have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit due to a birth injury caused by Pitocin.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can file a claim for a birth injury caused by Pitocin use, contact a dedicated Lexington medical malpractice lawyer at Wilt and Thompson, PLLC.
Our firm proudly offers complimentary consultations to injury victims across the state of Kentucky. Take advantage of this opportunity and give our office a call at 502-253-9110 or find us online to schedule yours and get started on your case.
The legal team at Wilt and Associates, LLC , leverages the background that our attorneys and their staff have in defending doctors and insurers to benefit plaintiffs in medical malpractice and personal injury lawsuits. Wilt and Associates, LLC , represents clients across Kentucky, as well as select personal injury clients in Ohio. We will fight to earn you the settlement you deserve.... View full business profile here: Wilt and Associates, LLC
