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Table of Contents
Labor and delivery happen every day, but they’re not easy processes. There are always risks to the baby and mother, which is why fetal monitoring is an important tool. Fetal monitoring helps physicians evaluate the health and safety of an unborn baby. However, if a medical professional does not properly interpret or respond to what the monitor shows, it can lead to serious harm for both the baby and the mother.
Doctors and medical staff are trained to use fetal monitoring to detect fetal distress. When these signs are detected, the medical staff must act quickly. When an abnormal fetal heart rate goes unrecognized, it can lead to asphyxia, cerebral palsy, paralysis, brain damage, and stillbirth.
Knowing that your child was injured due to a doctor’s negligence can be a devastating situation. Contact our Fort Lauderdale fetal heartbeat malpractice lawyer at Freidin Brown, P.A. to understand your legal options.
Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring
During labor and delivery, doctors will monitor the baby via fetal heart rate monitoring. Monitoring is typically done by wrapping a belt with sensors around the mother’s belly, although it can also be done by attaching an electrode to the fetus. There are two separate components. The top is the baby’s heart rate; the bottom shows the contractions. The relationship between these two is critical to the health of the baby.
Doctors will monitor two main things: the absolute heart rate and the variability of the heart rate. A steady heart rate is a cause for concern, so there should be variability, but not too much.
The purpose of the fetal monitoring is to see the warning signs and act on them before the baby’s brain and other vital organs suffer harm. If the fetal monitoring strips indicate that the baby does not have the oxygen it needs, doctors should deliver the child by C-section right away. If the doctor allows the mother to continue on with the labor, the baby will suffer. The baby could suffer serious harm or death, resulting in a lawsuit.
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Fetal Distress
Fetal distress means that the baby is not getting enough oxygen or any other nutrients. The fetus typically gets oxygen from the mother’s oxygenated blood via the placenta.
If the fetus has tachycardia, bradycardia, or variable decelerations, the baby is at risk for brain and organ damage. Therefore, when doctors and nurses discover signs of fetal distress, they need to react appropriately. But in many cases, they either overreact or underreact.
You and your staff are simply the best. Jonathan I would like to say I proud of the manner in which you conducted yourself toward my family matter. You are my mentor and someone that I look up to. . . . I will always remember you and would highly recommend you to any family and friends. We appreciate everything you did for us. Staying with us. Being patient with us. And, most importantly believing in us. Our family will forever have a feeling of gratitude for all that you have done. I have tremendous respect and appreciation for Phil Freidin. He is a powerful and kind lawyer. He has proven to me that he genuinely cares about his clients; however, he is a force to be reckoned with in the conference and court rooms. Jonathan impressed me with his professionalism and expertise! Jonathan and Lizy handled my Medical Malpractice case with skill and secured a favorable outcome! They were responsive and kept me informed throughout my process. I highly recommend them to my Family and Friends! They were not even able to take on my case, but the person who did my intake and the lawyer I spoke to were incredibly validating, kind, and helpful. I appreciated the care and time they gave me even when I did not become a client. Jonathan, Phil, and the rest of the Freidin Brown attorneys were both professional and compassionate. They were always responsive to my family and me, and they have a deep dedication to their clients. I highly recommend the great lawyers at this firm! My experience with Freidin Brown was above my expectations. Philip Freidin took my case and settlement to finish line with amazing results. I highly recommend this Law Firm. Our family was referred to Freidin Brown by another attorney who could not handle our case and from day one we felt like we were in good hands. Johnathan Freidin was always available and willing to answer any questions we had. We are extremely happy with the results of our case and would recommend this team in a heartbeat. Had the pleasure of working with Andrew this year. He was very knowledgeable, but most importantly, he asked questions and listened to truly understand MY needs. Would definitely use this team again.
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Labor and delivery are common, but they don’t always come easy. Sometimes babies have trouble when they are too small or too big or if there are other issues involved.
If your baby has been affected, the team at Freidin Brown, P.A. can help. Contact our knowledgeable Fort Lauderdale fetal heartbeat malpractice lawyers for help with your case. Schedule a free consultation today by calling us today or filling out the online form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fetal Heartbeat Malpractice
Our firm can answer FAQs about fetal heartbeat malpractice cases in Fort Lauderdale, including:
What should I do if I believe abnormal fetal heart rate strips were ignored during labor in Fort Lauderdale?
Request the full labor and delivery chart right away, including fetal monitoring strips, nursing notes, physician orders, and the delivery timeline. In these cases, the central issue is often whether warning signs were documented and whether the response was timely. A Fort Lauderdale fetal heartbeat malpractice lawyer at Freidin Brown, P.A. can preserve those records and analyze the strips with the right experts.
Can a delayed emergency C-section support a fetal heartbeat malpractice claim in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. A delayed C-section can support a claim when the monitoring showed the baby was not tolerating labor and the team failed to intervene promptly. The Fort Lauderdale fetal heartbeat malpractice attorney at Freidin Brown, P.A. evaluates the timing between fetal distress, decision-making, and delivery.
Do I still have a Fort Lauderdale claim if my baby looked stable at birth but later showed signs of oxygen-related injury?
Yes. Some oxygen-related injuries are not fully apparent immediately after birth and become clearer later through developmental delays, seizure activity, or neurological findings. A Fort Lauderdale fetal heartbeat malpractice lawyer at Freidin Brown, P.A. reviews neonatal, pediatric, and specialist records to determine whether labor events caused the later harm.
Can both doctors and nurses be liable if warning signs of fetal distress were missed in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Liability may extend to obstetricians, nurses, residents, or the hospital when multiple people saw or should have seen worsening fetal distress. The Fort Lauderdale fetal heartbeat malpractice attorney at Freidin Brown, P.A. examines who was watching the monitor, who documented the changes, and who had authority to escalate care.
