Skip to Content
Top
Fetal Distress

Fetal Distress Lawyers In Cleveland

WHAT IS FETAL DISTRESS?

Fetal distress is a general term used to describe experiences of the unborn baby which, if not resolved, carry a high risk of developing into serious and oftentimes irreversible injuries. Many children with cerebral palsy and developmental delays develop those conditions because fetal distress was not timely identified or treated.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is the organization that purports to represent the interests of doctors who provide gynecological and obstetric care to mothers. They recommend discontinuing the use of the term “fetal distress,” believing that it is too imprecise. They recommend instead “non-reassuring fetal status.” Whatever the terminology, the end result is the same—the baby may face problems that could have a significant effect on her long-term health, and the medical team must act quickly to prevent those injuries.

If your child suffered serious birth injuries as a result of fetal distress, contact The Becker Law Firm at (440) 252-4399 to discuss your legal options with our Ohio fetal distress attorneys. 

Causes and Effects of Fetal Distress

Fetal distress has a number of causes, including:

In many situations, such as shoulder dystocia or prolapsed umbilical cord, the effect is that the baby might not receive enough oxygen or blood to the brain. When deprived of oxygen or blood for even a few short moments, serious injuries like cerebral palsy and developmental delays can occur. Often, these injuries are preventable.

Recognizing and Responding to Fetal Distress

Careful nurses and obstetricians must be on the lookout for any signs of fetal distress, including decreased movement by the baby. The primary way to determine whether a baby is in distress is through electronic fetal monitoring (EFM), which allows obstetricians and nurses to monitor the baby’s heart rate and the timing and intensity of the mother’s contractions.

This technology has been around for over 50 years, and every hospital still uses it. Electronic fetal monitoring alerts obstetrical caregivers when an unborn child is suffering from fetal distress. The baby’s heart monitor provides the information needed to make important decisions about how to manage a pregnancy, labor, or delivery.

There are two types of electronic fetal monitoring—external and internal:

  • External monitoring involves a belt-like device which straps around the mother’s belly. This records the baby’s heartbeat (by ultrasound) and the mother’s contractions (as the pressure against the belt increases and decreases).
  • The internal monitor can be used when the cervix is 2-3 centimeters. A small lead is attached to the baby’s scalp, which will give a more accurate measurement of the baby’s heart rate. The external belt is still used to measure the mother’s contractions.

The information is passed from the belts through wires to a machine that records the information. In the past, this was printed out onto paper in real time. Most hospitals now have machines with digital readouts, and doctors can scroll back and forth to get an accurate history.

Failure to monitor or properly interpret and appropriately respond to fetal monitoring data can result in serious, permanent brain injury or wrongful death of the child. It can also put the mother’s life at risk.

Understanding Electronic Fetal Monitoring

There are two parts to every electronic fetal monitoring “strip.” The top line represents the baby’s heartbeat; the bottom line represents the mother’s contractions.

The baby’s normal heart rate is between about 120 and 160 beats per minute (bpm). Higher than 160 is called tachycardia and lower than 110 or 120 for an extended amount of time is called bradycardia. Both of those situations signify possible problems with the baby.

Some important aspects of reading electronic fetal monitoring strips:

  • Short-term variability: The baby’s heart rate should move up and down by a range of about 5 to 10 beats per minute from beat to beat, though if the short-term variability is absent it may simply indicate that the baby is sleeping. A somewhat jagged line is a good sign.
  • Long-term variability: The baby’s heart rate should move up and down by a range of 6 to 25 beats per minute over the course of a minute. Like short-term variability, a jagged line is a good sign.
  • Early decelerations: The baby’s heart rate must be read in conjunction with the mother’s contractions. Early decelerations begin and end at about the same time as contractions. They are usually caused by compression of the baby’s head during a contraction.
  • Late decelerations: Late decelerations begin at the top of a contraction and slowly return to baseline after the contraction has ended. These are the most concerning type of deceleration and indicate problems for the baby.
  • Variable decelerations: Variable decelerations occur at any time and tend to drop more quickly than early or late decelerations—they are usually caused by compression of the umbilical cord.

Interpreting electronic fetal monitoring strips is a complicated task; obstetricians and nurses must undergo extensive coursework and studies to understand them and to know what is happening to the baby. A simple misinterpretation can mean that the baby is deprived of vital oxygen and may result in long-lasting injuries.

How Our Firm Can Help

The attorneys at The Becker Law Firm in Cleveland and Elyria, Ohio have decades of experience in cases involving failure to recognize fetal distress. Our Ohio fetal distress lawyers have won millions of dollars in compensation for clients in cases involving cases of fetal distress.

Some examples of fetal distress cases we have handled include:

  • A delay in recognizing fetal distress in a child born to a diabetic mother resulted in profound birth asphyxia. This child has severe cerebral palsy and moderate developmental delays.
  • Despite evidence of fetal distress, there was not a timely cesarean section, which resulted in severe birth asphyxia. The child developed severe cerebral palsy and profound developmental delays.
  • The obstetrical caregivers failed to timely appreciate fetal distress in Twin B and to intervene via a C-section. Twin B was born in a severely asphyxiated state.

Often, fetal distress is evidence of oxygen deprivation resulting in the development of asphyxia. Asphyxia of a severe nature and/or for an extended period of time can cause fetal brain injury.

  • $13.5 Million Birth Injury

    Becker Law Firm attorneys Michael Becker and David Skall obtained a jury verdict for $13.5 million in Akron, Ohio. The case involved a now 16- year-old boy who suffered a brain injury at the time of birth (specifically a watershed injury). The doctor held liable for causing the boy’s injury is Laura Fortner, M.D., previously of Atrium OB/GYN, Inc.

    • David W. Skall
    • Michael F. Becker
  • $4.5 Million Birth Injury

    Failure to Carefully Ligate Umbilical Cord, Resulting In Severing Child’s Great Toe, Major Fluctuation In Child’s Blood Pressure And Subsequent Brain Damage (Cerebral Palsy & Developmental Delays)

    • Michael F. Becker
  • $4.25 Million Birth Injury

    Failure of Obsterical Caregivers to Recognize Maternal Hemorrhage Resulting in Brain Damage

    • Michael F. Becker
  • $4 Million Birth Injury

    Failure to provide intra-partum and immediate post-partum antibiotics.

  • $3.14 Million Birth Injury

    Failure to perform timely cesarean section which resulted in severe birth asphyxia.

    "Thank you for being our champions."

    Your unwavering dedication and expert guidance have truly been a lifesaver. Your sharp legal mind and compassionate heart have made all the difference. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being there for us every step of the way. We are forever grateful Words cannot express our gratitude for everything you have done for us. Your outstanding professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to justice have been nothing short of remarkable. You have given us back our confidence and hope during a difficult time. Thank you for being our champions. Thank you so much.

    - The C. Family
    "Michael Becker helped us secure our daughter’s future needs. We will always be grateful for the impact he has had on our family."
    We were greeted with professionalism, expertise, compassion, respect, and a desire to provide the best quality of life for our daughter. She was always the top priority. Mr. Becker represented our daughter and family as if it was his own. His staff was equ
    - Kris Harmon, mother of Perri
    "Mike represented us as if he was fighting for his own family member. I knew that my son was getting the best representation in Northeast Ohio."
    It was an honor having such an experienced lawyer handle my son's cerebral palsy case. He represented us as if he was fighting for his own family member. Everyone at the firm made us feel comfortable about our case. I knew that my son was getting the best representation in Northeast Ohio. The Becker Law Firm is dedicated to bringing justice to their clients. I've already referred families that I know!
    - Knyesha Washington
    "David worked our case with professionalism and patience in an amazing way that ultimately led to a positive outcome."
    Right from the very beginning of our case, David Skall and his assistant Jean Witt were both extremely kind and compassionate to help us put closure on a wrongful death case involving my father at a care facility. They were quick to answer any questions that we had and they made sure we were kept in the loop of this entire process. even though we were in the middle of a pandemic, David and his team were able to adapt their technology and make it all work out for our benefit. I would strongly recommend them to anyone in need of legal help.
    - John Z.

What is Fetal Distress?

Fetal distress is a term that has been used in the past to suggest that a fetus may not be tolerating the forces of labor, or is no longer tolerating the intrauterine environment.

  • The Inner Circle of Advocates
  • Best Law Firms
  • NBTA - Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • NBTA
  • AV Preeminent
  • International Society of Barristers
  • American Association for Justice
  • CATA

    Oxygen deprivation can come about from many sources, including:

    • Difficulty in adequate profusion of the uterus
    • Poor functioning of the placenta in the perfusion of the fetus
    • Problems with the umbilical cord perfusion of the fetus

    Our legal team can determine whether you may have a birth injury claim. To arrange a free initial consultation and case evaluation, please contact our Ohio fetal distress lawyers today.

    Email us or call (440) 252-4399 to discuss your case with our team. From our offices in Cleveland and Elyria, Ohio, we represent clients throughout the state.

    Free Case Evaluation DON’T SETTLE FOR LESS THAN FULL JUSTICE

    Fill out The Form or Give Us a Call at (440) 252-4399 to Request Your Free Case Evaluation

    Or
    Call Us Today (440) 252-4399
    • Please enter your first name.
    • Please enter your last name.
    • Please enter your phone number.
      This isn't a valid phone number.
    • Please enter your email address.
      This isn't a valid email address.
    • Please make a selection.
    • Please enter a message.
    • By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Acceptable Use Policy