The moment you find out you’re pregnant, it’s an exciting and joyous adventure. However, there’s also a lot of planning that goes into it. A birthing plan is one of the most important things to discuss with your doctor to ensure things go as planned. In some cases, though, the doctor may need to divert from the birthing plan.
Doctors may decide to induce labor. Labor induction occurs because of medical reasons and is done to provide a healthy birthing process. However, you should be aware of some of the potential risks associated with inducing labor.
Here are some of the dangers of inducing labor:
- Increased risk of infection
- Increased and closer contractions
- Umbilical cord issues
- Uterine rupture
- Unnecessary induction
- Postpartum hemorrhage
Call our firm today at (210) 361-2997 if you suffer damages following doctor negligence.
Increased Risk of Infection
The amniotic sac protects you and your baby. One way to induce labor may include sweeping the membranes from your uterus, and the longer the process lasts before birth, the more likely you are to suffer from infections.
Increased and Closer Contractions
When the doctor induces labor, it can cause the mother to experience extremely close contractions. Not only is this uncomfortable for the mother, but it can cause the baby’s heart rate to lower. It’s vital to closely monitor the baby during this time to avoid severe problems.
Umbilical Cord Issues
Umbilical cord prolapse is a common problem stemming from labor induction. If the baby is breech during induction, it can cause the cord to become squeezed, leaving the baby without enough oxygen and causing significant problems.
Uterine Rupture
Uterine rupture is not as common during labor induction, but it’s one of the more serious risks you can experience. Uterine rupture can cause significant bleeding, putting both the mother and baby at risk of blood and oxygen loss. In many cases, uterine rupture can prove to be fatal.
Unnecessary Induction
The doctor may choose to induce labor only for it to not work. It can cause numerous problems in the process, and the doctor may still need to perform a cesarean section birth. The mother faces all of the same risks of labor induction along with the risks of a C-section.
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Once the doctor induces labor, it can prevent the uterine muscles from contracting as they should after the baby is born. Over time, it can result in the mother bleeding. The more the mother bleeds, the more severe it can be. It can result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Before your doctor induces labor, be sure to ask questions. You want to be sure that there’s a plan in place and that your doctor is properly monitoring you and your baby through the process. If there are risks, you should know about them and be able to make decisions regarding whether or not you want to induce labor.
Remember: Labor induction should NOT be performed during a healthy pregnancy in which the baby is expected to come naturally around its due date. It should only occur when additional risks are present that can cause the mother and/or baby harm.
At Maloney Law Group, P.L.L.C., we work to help you during your time of need. We know how devastating it can be to experience a birth injury because of doctor negligence. It’s our goal to provide you with the counsel you need to hold responsible parties accountable and pursue compensation for damages you or your baby sustain.
Trust our San Antonio birth injury lawyers to be by your side every step of the way. We care about you and your family, and we’ll make it a top priority to safeguard your rights throughout the entire process. Let us be your voice against negligence.
For a free case evaluation, call our firm today at (210) 361-2997.