Did Pitocin Lead to a Birth Injury?
Pitocin is commonly used in obstetrics to induce labor. It is a type of synthetic oxytocin which can induce labor in women who have certain complications, such as preeclampsia, or whose labor is too slow. Unfortunately, misuse of Pitocin can injure patients, and we encourage concerned parents to contact our law office to discuss whether they suffered a birth injury.
What Can Go Wrong with Pitocin Use?
According to statistics, nearly 50% of women receive Pitocin to induce labor where a swift vaginal delivery is necessary. The drug is also helpful when a mother is suffering from hemorrhaging, because Pitocin stimulates the uterus to contract, which can reduce blood flow.
As with all drugs, your medical team should not use too much Pitocin, which is usually given intravenously. Doctors should also pay attention to side effects which can be dangerous.
Typically, vomiting and nausea are among the more common side effects. But more dangerous side effects include:
- You might feel confusion after giving birth, including trouble speaking.
- Allergic reactions. An allergic reaction could be deadly.
- Changes in heart rate. Your heart rhythm might be irregular, or it could speed up.
- Many mothers taking Picotin report feeling weakness in limbs.
- Uterine rupture. This is a life-threatening tear in the wall of the uterus.
Pitocin can also cause side effects on your baby, including seizure, abnormal heart rate, vision problems, and trouble breathing. Some problems are reversible if your medical team responds appropriately. However, some babies can struggle with longer-lasting disabilities when doctors misuse Pitocin.
Assessing birth injuries is always complex. Many new parents are overjoyed to be home with their child, and months might pass before you notice something is wrong. Many hospitals and doctors are not eager to revisit whether they made a mistake during delivery. You might struggle to get any answers about whether something went wrong in delivery.
Concerned parents should not overlook the possibility that an error was made during labor. Call our office. We can review medical records to analyze whether your doctor misused Pitocin or another common medication during labor and delivery. We can also assess any lingering disabilities affecting your baby.
When doctors make errors during delivery, families can usually request compensation to cover pain, mental distress, and economic losses. A child who suffers injury could deal with a lifetime of additional medical care and need specialized education (which is expensive). This is a broad area of law, and some families are eligible to receive substantial compensation when a preventable mistake was made.
Contact Us for a Free and Private Consultation
Pita Weber Del Prado realizes that the medical system remains a mystery to most people. Our firm has spent decades holding hospitals and doctors accountable when they make errors and then try to hide them. We can use our experience to uncover whether your family has been victimized by medical malpractice. Contact us today to speak with a Miami birth injury lawyer. Our firm can provide an overview of your legal rights and how a medical malpractice claim plays out.
