The main goal of fetal monitoring is to observe a baby's well-being during labor and catch any problems early. It allows doctors to take quick actions to protect both mother and baby, should any concerning patterns appear.
Families injured due to improper fetal monitoring are entitled to medical compensation. Such compensations may be awarded through medical malpractice cases.
Experienced Errors in Fetal Monitoring?
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Fetal monitoring is the process of tracking fetal heart rate and maternal contractions during labor. It is widely used across the United States to reduce adverse delivery outcomes. It is especially valuable in high-risk pregnancies. Fetal heart rate patterns may be categorized through this practice, allowing doctors to promptly respond to fetal distress. Fetal heart rate is categorized into: [1]
Category I – There is a normal baseline, with 110 to 160 beats per minute. No concerning decelerations are exhibited; indicating that labor is safe to continue normally.
Category II – Fetal heart rate is higher or lower than usual. Mothers may also exhibit signs of distress. The presence of concerning decelerations prompts medical teams to pay extra attention to the labor.
Category III – Fetal heart rate changes erratically, suggesting that the child is not getting enough oxygen. Giving assistive oxygen to mothers is a must. Medical teams should also opt for an emergency delivery.
It is important to note, however, that even seemingly normal pregnancies may contract life-altering injuries when monitored improperly. Complacency and negligence still result in birth injuries, even in low-risk pregnancies.[2]
An ill-prepared medical team and facility pose significant threats to both mother and child. Hospitals, as much as doctors, can also be held liable for any injuries incurred while under their care. Some of the more common errors in fetal monitoring include:
Failing to correctly identify or categorize heart rate patterns (Category 1, 2, or 3). This includes missing decreased variability, late decelerations, or other concerning patterns that indicate fetal distress requiring immediate intervention.
Having too few trained staff monitoring multiple patients simultaneously. This creates an excessive attention burden and increases the risk of missing critical changes. Research shows monitoring several displays reduces the detection of important signals.
Failure to effectively communicate concerning findings between nurses, physicians, and other care team members. This includes delayed reporting of abnormal patterns, unclear handoffs between shifts, and a lack of clear escalation protocols.
Not taking timely action when concerning patterns are identified. This includes failing to initiate appropriate interventions like repositioning the mother, providing oxygen, or preparing for an emergency cesarean when indicated.
Depending too heavily on automated monitoring systems without adequate human oversight. While technology can assist, overreliance can lead to missed abnormalities or delayed recognition of developing problems requiring clinical judgment.
Inadequate or inaccurate documentation of fetal heart rate patterns, interventions, and maternal condition. Poor documentation can lead to missed patterns over time and compromise the coordination of care among team members.
Insufficient training in pattern recognition, interpretation, and appropriate responses to abnormal findings. Staff must maintain competency in identifying concerning patterns and understanding when and how to intervene appropriately.
Poor setup of monitoring system – including displays that are too difficult to read; showing too many patients simultaneously; etc. This includes central monitoring stations that make it difficult to detect subtle changes.
As said earlier, improper fetal monitoring can lead to adverse life-altering injuries. Said injuries include (but are not limited to):
For Children
For Mothers
Seeking Compensation for Birth Injuries?
We help families hold negligent doctors accountable. Clients don't have to pay anything unless we win.
All medical expenses (past and future) are considered in a medical malpractice claim. Other economic and non-economic losses are also factored in. Lost income, emotional trauma, and decreased quality of life are some of the more common considerations.
In birth injury cases, compensation ensures that an injured child is provided with all the necessary support for their growth and development. Injured mothers must also be allowed to return to their healthiest state.
According to the National Practitioner Data Bank, in 2023, medical malpractice cases in New York were settled at about $492,476 on average. However, based on our experience, cases involving birth injuries are compensated with much more. For actual compensation figures, please refer to our previous wins.
At the Porter Law Group, our team of proven medical malpractice lawyers delivers ideal results. We take pride in helping families rebuild after unfavorable circumstances. We operate on a contingency basis – meaning you do not need to pay us anything unless we win your case. Through this approach, we can better support families during their times of need.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, please reach out to us for a non-obligatory free case evaluation. You can also contact us at 833-PORTER9 or info@porterlawteam.com to schedule a consultation.
