Potential Injuries From Labor Induction

 Posted on January 25,2024 in Birth Injury

Labor induction is a common procedure used to stimulate contractions and start the birthing process. While it can be an effective way to manage certain pregnancy complications, the unnatural stimulation of contractions also carries risks of injury to both mother and baby. If you or your baby got injured from a wrongful labor induction, an Illinois birth injury attorney may be able to help.

Infection From Fetal or Amniotic Fluid Monitoring

One of the key tools used to monitor labor progress and fetal heart rate is an internal sensor that gets inserted alongside the cervix. The sensor and its wiring provide a pathway for bacteria to travel into the uterus or amniotic sac, causing infections like chorioamnionitis or sepsis. Warning signs that an infection is brewing may be missed or disregarded by staff.

Excessive Contraction Stimulation

Medications like Pitocin are often used to cause stronger, more frequent uterine contractions to drive labor. However, inducing contractions too aggressively can overload the uterus, reducing blood flow to the fetus. Intense contractions may also cause the uterus to rupture along scar tissue from a previous C-section or other uterine surgery. This can lead to dangerous bleeding, hysterectomy, or death of the mother and baby.

Nerve Injuries From Poor Fetal Monitoring Probes

The internal probes used to monitor labor can also directly cause injury if improperly placed. The rigid wiring may press on pelvic nerves as the baby descends, resulting in nerve damage and pain. In some cases, nerves can be severed by the device or from surgical intervention to reposition or remove a problematic monitor probe. This causes loss of bladder or bowel control that requires ongoing treatment.

Excessive Traction During Delivery from Induced Labor

While induction speeds up early labor, the medications often do little to aid the actual delivery process. As contractions become more intense, doctors may decide to intervene manually with vacuum extraction, forceps, or aggressive traction on the infant’s head. This can cause bruising, nerve damage, fractures, and bleeding within the baby’s brain. There are also increased risks of permanent disabilities like cerebral palsy or cognitive deficits.

Contact a Chicago, IL Birth Injury Lawyer

If you believe mistakes were made during your labor induction that harmed you or your baby, it is important to consult a Cook County, IL birth injury lawyer as soon as possible. It is beneficial to get help to investigate what happened and determine if you have grounds for a medical negligence lawsuit. Call Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. at 312-462-4200 for a free consultation.