Reasons for Inducing Labor
When doctors induce labor, they use medications or other devices to start the delivery process. It can be a medical necessity, or even requested by the mother for convenience or other non-medical reasons. However, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, labor should only be performed when necessary.
Doctors should recognize when it is time to induce labor. Failure to do so can result in the child not getting enough oxygen or suffering from other medical complications. If your baby has suffered from a birth injury as a result of a doctor’s failure to act responsibly and competently, contact a Philadelphia birth injury attorney from Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 215-238-1130.
When Doctors May Induce
As a general rule, infants should be carried to full term to avoid the dangers associated with premature labor. However, there are some cases in which it is more dangerous for a baby to remain in the womb, such as:
- If the placenta is not providing enough nourishment or oxygen to the baby
- If your water (amniotic sac) has broken, but you haven’t started labor for 1-2 days
- If you do not naturally start labor after 42 weeks
- If you have an infection called chorioamnionitis
- If you develop complications such as preeclampsia, heart disease, etc. during pregnancy
When doctors fail to induce labor at the appropriate time, a child can suffer from dangerous injuries and could develop permanent disabilities.
Contact Us
Your obstetrician should know when to induce labor in order to protect the baby. Additionally, the obstetrician and medical staff should handle the newborn with care to prevent injuries. If your doctor or nursing staff has mishandled your baby, resulting in a birth injury, contact the Philadelphia birth injury lawyers from Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 215-238-1130 today.