The Use of Fetal Monitoring Strips In a Medical Malpractice Birth Injury Lawsuit

Birth injuries can have a devastating impact on families, and medical malpractice can be a contributing factor. One tool that is often used in labor and delivery is fetal monitoring strips, which record the baby's heart rate and the frequency and duration of contractions. In some cases, abnormalities in the fetal monitoring strips can indicate that the baby is in distress and prompt medical intervention is necessary.

If a healthcare provider fails to respond appropriately to abnormalities in fetal monitoring strips, it can be considered medical malpractice.

What are fetal monitoring strips?

Fetal monitoring strips are graphical recordings of a baby's heart rate and a mother's contractions during labor and delivery. These strips are produced using electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) machines, which use sensors to detect the fetal heart rate and the frequency and strength of the mother's contractions.

Fetal monitoring strips are printed on paper and are often referred to as "tracings." They typically consist of two lines: one representing the fetal heart rate and the other representing the contractions. The fetal heart rate line is often referred to as the "baseline" and can have various patterns, including accelerations, decelerations, and variability.

Why are fetal monitoring strips important?

The fetal heart rate is an important indicator of the baby's well-being during labor and delivery. A normal fetal heart rate ranges between 110 and 160 beats per minute. However, deviations from the normal range can be a sign of fetal distress or other complications.

Fetal monitoring strips are reviewed by healthcare providers to assess the well-being of the fetus during labor and delivery. Healthcare providers look for patterns that suggest fetal distress, such as prolonged or non-reassuring decelerations, which may indicate that the baby is not getting enough oxygen. Fetal monitoring strips can help healthcare providers make decisions regarding the need for interventions, such as cesarean section, to ensure the safety of the baby and mother.

What happens in a medical malpractice birth injury case involving fetal monitoring strips?

In a medical malpractice birth injury case involving fetal monitoring strips, the plaintiff's legal team will often rely on expert witnesses to explain how the abnormalities in the strips indicate that the healthcare provider deviated from the standard of care. The expert witness will analyze the fetal monitoring strips and provide an opinion as to whether the healthcare provider's actions were reasonable given the circumstances.

It is important for families who suspect that medical malpractice may have played a role in their child's birth injury to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. There are strict deadlines for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, and a failure to file within the statute of limitations can result in the case being dismissed.

At The Curran Firm, P.C., we have over thirty-five years of experience handling medical malpractice cases, including those involving birth injuries. Our attorneys have a superior knowledge of the law and a strong commitment to advocating for our clients' rights. We understand the emotional and financial toll that birth injuries can take on families, and we are dedicated to helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve.

 If you believe that your child's birth injury was the result of medical malpractice, contact The Curran Firm, P.C. today. Our compassionate team of attorneys will provide you with the guidance and support you need to navigate this challenging time. We will fight tirelessly to ensure that your family receives the justice and compensation you deserve.