Pitocin and Birth Injuries
Pitocin is the brand name given to a synthesized form of oxytocin, a hormone naturally produced by a woman’s body when she goes into labor. When an infant is overdue or labor is taking a dangerously long time, using Pitocin to induce labor can be life-saving. Unfortunately, its misuse can be extremely hazardous for mothers and infants alike.
If your child has suffered a birth injury due to an induced labor, you may have grounds for legal action against the parties responsible. For more information, call the Philadelphia birth injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130.
The Risks of Inducing Labor
Naturally released oxytocin stimulates muscle contractions in periodic bursts, allowing the mother time to recover somewhat in between periods of pushing. When labor is artificially induced, however, contractions are much more intense and longer lasting. Even in the best case scenarios, this can make childbirth much more painful for the mother.
Unfortunately, increased pain is not the only risk of Pitocin. As with all drugs, it is impossible to predict exactly how it will affect any individual person. Because of this, doctors need to administer this drug gradually, carefully monitoring the mother and infant all the while. If they fail to do so, the mother may experience hyper-stimulation of uterine contractions.
Possible side effects of uterine hyper-stimulation include threats to the mother and child, such as:
- Fetal oxygen deprivation caused by decreased blood flow or prolonged contractions
- Uterine rupture
- Cervical lacerations
- Internal hemorrhaging for the mother
- Fetal distress
Complications like these can cause long-lasting injury to the child, including brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, musculoskeletal injuries, and potentially even death.
Contact a Philadelphia Pitocin Birth Injury Lawyer
If your child has been hurt by needlessly induced or poorly monitored labor, you could be eligible for financial compensation. To learn more, contact the Philadelphia Pitocin injury attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130.