When having a baby becomes a high-risk situation

If you’re one of many Florida women who are currently expecting a baby or have recently given birth, you have every right to be proud of yourself for making it through roughly nine months of pregnancy. Whether this is your first child or you have gone through similar experiences many times in the past, it’s definitely true that no two pregnancies are the same. What is problematic for one woman may be a non-issue in your case, such as fluid retention or weight gain.

However, there are certain issues that are signs of maternal or fetal distress that the average doctor who is well versed in obstetrics is able to recognize and, if noticed, should prompt him or her to take immediate steps to rectify the situation to keep you and your child as safe as possible. If your doctor fails to do so, yours or baby’s life may be at risk. If a birth injury occurs due to medical negligence, Florida law allows you to seek justice in a civil court.

Signs of trouble no obstetrician should ignore

Whether you have a fast labor and delivery or are slow to progress, at any time, problems can arise that suggest you or your baby are not faring well. The following list shows issues that warrant specialized care:

• Hypoxia is a condition where a baby is not getting enough oxygen during the birth process. Your doctor should be able to recognize this urgent situation by monitoring your baby’s heart rate.

• During prenatal visits, as well during labor and delivery, your doctor should closely monitor fetal movements and contractions. Lack of either can be a sign of serious fetal distress.

• If you have high blood pressure during pregnancy, you are in a high-risk category and your doctor should have a plan of action in mind should you or your baby shows signs of distress.

• Any sign of meconium in your amniotic fluid means your baby’s airways could be blocked due to him or her having a bowel movement in utero. Your doctor knows how to help your baby in this type of situation.

Sometimes your doctor can rectify urgent situations without having to do a C-section. However, a problem may arise that requires quick thinking and immediate action from your doctor and the rest of your medical team. If someone is negligent, it could result in injury to you or your child.

Post-birth support for victims of medical malpractice

It can be devastating to think back to the day you went into labor if the ultimate outcome of the situation was disastrous for you or your child. While you’re thankful that both of you are still alive, you may also feel betrayed, frustrated and angry that an injury that was preventable occurred because of substandard medical care. Many people who have suffered similar injuries in the past have sought restitution by filing injury claims against those believed responsible for their suffering.