New York Fetal Heart Rate Decelerations

The normal fetal heart rate is between 120-160 BPM. If the baby’s has a sustained heart rate of less than 100 BPM, than the heart rate has slowed to a level that indicates that there is potentially a serious problem. If a fetal heart rate deceleration is noted, the doctor should take quick steps to check fetal movement, amniotic fluid, and other signs of problems with the baby. If the baby is in distress, it is critical that the doctor take steps to quickly treat the problem. While fetal heart rate deceleration, also referred to as bradycardia, can because caused by a variety of factors including umbilical cord problems, placenta problems, and medication taken by the mother, fetal heart rate deceleration is often a sign that the baby is in distress. Fetal distress often points to poor oxygenation. Failure to quickly respond to fetal distress can lead to catastrophic results for the baby such as cerebral palsy. If your baby suffered a serious injury related to fetal heart rate deceleration that your medical team mismanaged, contact an experienced New York birth injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates who will investigate your case and ensure that your legal rights are protected.

There are a number of complications and conditions that can cause the baby’s heart rate to decelerate. It is up to the doctor to monitor the baby and the mother so that problems with the heart rate and fetal distress can be noted immediately, allowing a quick response. Common causes of a fetal heart rate include:

• Maternal hypotension- Abnormally low blood pressure
• Maternal medication such as opioids or magnesium sulfate
• Reduced fetal oxygenation
• Fetal neurological abnormalities such as anencephaly
• Umbilical cord prolapse
• Umbilical cord occlusion- Umbilical cord is trapped between the feturs and the wall of the birth canal, leading to loss of the fetal blood supply
• Rapid fetal descent
• Tachysystole- Excessive uterine contractions that are often caused by medication used to induce labor
• Placental abruption- Placenta detaches from the uterus prior to delivery
• Uterine rupture- Tear in the wall of the uterus
• Intrauterine growth retardation- Slow fetal growth

Treatment of fetal heart rate deceleration depends largely on the gestational age and the cause of the deceleration. Oftentimes the appropriate response is immediate delivery of the baby by c-section.

If you believe that medical negligence caused your baby to suffer fetal distress that led to a heart rate deceleration, discuss your concerns with an experienced birth injury attorney in New York. It is expected that your doctor has the skill and experience to take appropriate steps to avoid fetal where possible, and to properly treat fetal heart rate deceleration and other indicators of a problem with the baby. If failure to follow proper medical protocol leads to your baby suffering a serious injury, then you have the right to file a claim against the negligent medical professional. Despite evidence of providing negligent care, your doctor and your hospital may try to minimize their role in your baby’s birth injury, and claim that the problem was unforeseeable. However, a skilled attorney can review your medical records, confirm what went wrong, and pinpoint fault.

Damages based on medical negligence include the medical bills related to treating the injury, lost of future earning potential, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering.

If you suspect that your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional failed to properly manage your baby’s fetal bradycardia and as a result your baby suffered a serious birth injury, do not hesitate to immediately contact an experienced New York injury attorney. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have the experience, knowledge, and resources to help. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.