Failure to Progress and Birth Injury Risks
Many risks are associated with a failure to progress during labor, including injuries to the mother and baby. Birth injuries can have a lifelong impact on the child and their family. Read on to learn the warning signs and the precautions doctors should take to avoid a birth injury.
Causes of Failure to Progress
There are many causes of a failure to progress in labor. Some of the most common include:
- A baby that is too large or in a difficult position.
- A cervix that is not opening enough.
- An infection in the mother or baby.
- Low amniotic fluid levels.
- The use of certain medications or interventions during labor.
If you are experiencing a failure to progress, your healthcare provider will likely perform an ultrasound to determine the cause. They will then recommend a course of action based on the findings. Treatment options may include:
- Changing the position of the baby.
- Pushing longer or harder.
- Performing a cesarean delivery.
It is important to remember that failing to progress does not always mean a cesarean delivery is necessary. Many women can successfully deliver their babies after receiving treatment. However, if there is a concern for the safety of the mother or baby, an emergency C-section may be necessary, and doctors must act quickly. Failing to perform a C-section in a high-risk delivery can result in a birth injury.
What Are the Risk Factors?
There are many risks associated with a failure to progress in labor. Some of the most common include:
- An increased risk of birth injuries, such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, and spinal cord injury.
- A longer labor process.
- A higher chance of needing a cesarean delivery.
- A higher chance of having a baby who is in distress.
If you are experiencing a failure to progress, it is essential to talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you assess the risks and benefits of continuing labor or opting for cesarean delivery. It is important to remember that every case is different, and not all women will have the same experience.
Symptoms of Failure to Progress
When labor does not progress as it should, there can be several different symptoms that may occur. Some of the most common indicators of failure to progress include:
- Long labor without any change in the cervix.
- A slow or stalled labor pattern.
- No contractions after active labor has begun.
- Contractions that are far apart and not very strong.
- Excessive bleeding during labor.
- Too much or too little amniotic fluid around the baby.
- Fetal distress, as indicated by changes in the baby’s heart rate pattern on a fetal monitor.
Your medical team should be monitoring you throughout the labor process for these warning signs.
Contact Our Birth Injury Law Firm For Help
Big cases require big resources. If you or a loved one has been affected by a birth injury, it is vital to seek legal help as soon as possible. The attorneys at Dolt, Thompson, Shepherd & Conway, PSC have extensive experience handling complex birth injury cases and are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. When pursuing a birth injury claim, time is of the essence. In Kentucky, injured parties have one year (in exceptional circumstances, five years) from the date of injury to take legal action against medical professionals, hospitals, or other licensed medical entities.
Contact us today at (502) 244-7772 to speak to one of our lawyers.