When mothers go through labor, many experience electronic fetal monitoring (EFM), which allows their attending doctors to assess how their unborn babies react to the stresses of labor. EFM helps medical professionals make essential decisions on the path forward toward healthy deliveries, and when applied appropriately, it can afford protection for both mother and child. When used unnecessarily or incorrectly, however, both mother and child can experience undue risk, and the situation can rise to medical malpractice. If you or your baby were injured due to EFM, our experienced Harrisburg medical malpractice birth injury attorneys stand by to help.
Understanding Electronic Fetal Monitoring
Electronic fetal monitoring is a testing device that records the mother’s ongoing contractions and the unborn baby’s heart rate. This monitoring can signal fetal distress during pregnancy as well as labor and delivery. While many medical providers use EFM routinely during deliveries, medical experts generally recommend it only in cases where there is a high risk of complications.
What Are the Risks Involved?
While EFM can provide valuable information – especially when complications are involved – there are also risks to consider. To begin – when EFM is used as a matter of routine – it may increase the rate of unnecessary cesarean sections and of deliveries that use forceps or vacuum devices. Another risk factor is that EFM can lead to false alarms, which can cause undue stress for both mother and baby.
When the EFM is internal, which means it attaches to the baby’s scalp, the related risks increase, including:
- Babies can suffer scalp injuries that are prone to infection.
- Mothers are more vulnerable to infection.
- Mothers can transmit HIV or genital herpes to their babies.
Is EFM Worth the Risk?
Experts generally agree that EFM is well advised during higher-risk pregnancies but that there are few – if any – advantages when used as a matter of course, such as for every pregnant patient. For example, routine use is not associated with improved outcomes like the following:
- Higher newborn Apgar scores
- Lower cerebral palsy rates
- Fewer neurological injuries
- Fewer developmental delays
- Decreased admissions to NICUs (neonatal intensive care units)
If you or your child was harmed by your medical provider’s use of EFM during your pregnancy, labor, or delivery, consult with a focused medical malpractice attorney who has a wealth of experience successfully handling claims involving electronic fetal monitoring.
Speak to an Experienced Harrisburg Medical Malpractice Attorney Today
The accomplished Harrisburg medical malpractice attorneys at Marzella & Associates have an impressive track record of successfully representing electronic fetal monitoring claims, and we welcome the opportunity to help you by skillfully pursuing the compensation that you and your child deserve. We are on your side and here to help every step of the way forward, so please reach out and contact us online or call 717-876-8681 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you today.