Baltimore Birth Injury Lawyers
Helping Victims of Negligence and Fetal Distress in Maryland Hospitals
For more than three decades, Baltimore birth injury lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton, P.A. have represented families whose children suffered serious harm because of labor and delivery negligence and cesarean-section injuries. We believe that you deserve to have the resources you need to give your child the best chance of recovery and quality of life. With this goal in mind, our medical malpractice team pursues the maximum compensation possible against the doctors, nurses and hospital responsible for your baby’s injuries.
Fetal Distress
Fetal distress refers to a baby’s injury, illness or other health issues in utero or during labor and delivery. Your obstetrician has a duty to monitor your baby’s health throughout your pregnancy and during childbirth and to respond appropriately if there are signs of fetal distress.
Causes of Fetal Distress
The most common cause of fetal distress is lack of oxygen delivery to the brain, known as cerebral hypoxia. This can occur because of a variety of reasons, including:
- Breathing difficulty during the initial moments after birth
- Breech position of fetus
- Fertility treatments leading to multiple births
- Gestational fetal infection
- Maternal medical condition, such as diabetes, preeclampsia or high blood pressure
- Mother’s contractions are too close together
- Premature delivery before full development of the baby’s cardiovascular system
- Shoulder dystocia
- The baby’s larger-than-average birth weight
- Umbilical cord prolapse
- Umbilical cord wrapping around the infant’s neck
Obstetricians’ Duty to Mothers and Children
Obstetricians have a duty to monitor the health of the baby during the prenatal, delivery and newborn stages. This typically includes:
- Conducting appropriate tests to determine the causes of distress
- Evaluating maternal risk factors
- Evaluating the infant’s condition during the crucial hours after birth
- Providing immediate treatment to prevent birth injuries
- Recognizing signs of distress, such as the fetus’ slowed or rapid heartbeat or decreased movement
- Responding promptly to alleviate distressing conditions
- Taking precautions to prevent fetal distress, especially in high-risk pregnancies
Failure to perceive fetal distress and respond appropriately and promptly can result in severe permanent injuries.
Maryland Birth Injury Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Help Victims of Negligence and Fetal Distress
For more information about recovering damages for fetal distress injuries, call Baltimore birth injury lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton, P.A. at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact our firm online to schedule your free initial consultation. We are available 24 hours a day by phone.