There are a lot of different reasons a doctor may decide to induce labor. Labor can be induced through various methods, including the use of drugs. One such medicine, Pitocin, stimulates the uterus and encourages contractions when labor fails to start on its own or contractions are too weak to be effective.
Pitocin is a man-made form of the hormone oxytocin. While it can make labor move faster, it also carries risks. Serious problems can include contractions that are too strong or too frequent, tearing of the uterus, and distress or harm to the baby.
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our experienced Virginia Beach birth injury attorneys can help with Pitocin-related medical negligence cases. If you or your baby were injured by the use of Pitocin, you probably have legal options available to you. Call us today to schedule a free case review.
Pitocin is a man-made version of the hormone oxytocin. Doctors often use it to start labor in expectant mothers with certain health problems, such as preeclampsia or diabetes.
Oxytocin helps the uterus contract during labor. The body naturally makes this hormone in the brain. During childbirth, oxytocin levels rise as contractions happen, and pressure from the baby’s head causes the body to release even more. Pitocin raises oxytocin levels to help labor move forward and support delivery.
Pitocin is used liberally in antenatal care to augment and induce labor. According to research, roughly half of all women in the United States are given Pitocin to stem postpartum bleeding and promote contractions.
There are two ways in which Pitocin can assist the childbirth process. They are:
Some women bleed heavily after giving birth. Pitocin can help control this bleeding by making the uterus contract, which helps reduce blood flow and, by extension, stop the bleeding.
Some pregnancy problems, like diabetes, Rh issues, or preeclampsia, can make it safer to deliver the baby sooner instead of waiting for labor to begin naturally. In these situations, a doctor may use Pitocin to help spur vaginal births along. If a woman’s labor is moving slowly and her contractions are weak or not getting stronger, a doctor may give Pitocin to help labor move forward and help the cervix open.
To start labor with Pitocin, the drug is given through an IV. The dose is slowly increased over time, usually every half hour to an hour. This continues until contractions are about 2 to 3 minutes apart and the cervix has opened to about 5 or 6 centimeters. Contractions usually begin within about half an hour after Pitocin is started through an IV. When the medication is stopped, the contractions typically slow down or stop within about an hour.
Obstetricians should use the lowest dosage of medication possible to reduce the potential dangers to you and your baby. It is very important for them to closely watch your contractions and your baby’s heart rate.
The FDA says doctors are only to use Pitocin as and when it is genuinely needed for the health of the baby or mother. Some situations where Pitocin may be appropriate include:
The long and short of it is that it is up to the doctor to decide if it is medically necessary to induce labor. In some cases, it may even be suggested that labor be induced before the due date. This decision is based on whether or not it is safer to deliver the baby early or to continue the pregnancy.
Although using Pitocin to induce labor can, in some cases, be medically advantageous, its use carries considerable risks, including:
Once Pitocin has been administered, babies sometimes exhibit signs of distress. Their heart rate might speed up or slow down, and they may move less. These symptoms can mean the baby is not getting enough oxygen, which can lead to brain injury.
If the uterus tears, this is known as a uterine rupture. Uterine ruptures are medical emergencies and can cause heavy bleeding. It can also hurt the baby by slowing the baby’s heart rate and reducing oxygen. Low oxygen and a slow heart rate can cause serious brain damage, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
If a uterine rupture happens, the mother may need to have her uterus removed.
Uterine hyperstimulation happens when a woman has too many contractions, usually more than five in ten minutes over about 30 minutes. These strong, frequent contractions can reduce blood and oxygen to the baby. When this happens, the baby may not get enough oxygen at birth, which increases the risk of brain damage.
Yes, it does. The most common side effects of Pitocin are nausea, vomiting, and stronger contractions. Doctors also watch for more serious side effects, which can include:
The fetus could potentially experience side effects as well, such as:
Women and their labor and delivery team should think carefully about both the benefits and risks before deciding to use Pitocin.
Pitocin on its own is not always dangerous, but its administration is paramount. Sometimes, medical staff fail to reduce or stop Pitocin use when warning signs appear. In other cases, doctors start Pitocin without fully explaining the possible risks to the patient.
Hospitals may also fail to properly record fetal monitoring results, which makes it harder to see when a mistake happened. These failures can turn a routine medical treatment into a tragic outcome for both the baby and the parents.
When a birth injury happens, families often deal with lasting problems. A child may need years of therapy, special schooling, or lifelong medical care. If the injury was caused by improper use of Pitocin or poor medical decisions, the family may be able to seek compensation through a birth injury lawsuit.
These cases usually require a Virginia Beach birth injury attorney to review fetal heart monitor readings, labor records, and opinions from medical experts. Even if a hospital does not want to admit a mistake, families have the right to hold them responsible and seek help paying for their child’s future care.
If Pitocin caused your child’s birth injury, you may have a legitimate legal claim. The Virginia Beach birth injury attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have helped families harmed by medical mistakes since 1985. If your child was injured at birth because of Pitocin, we can look into what happened, determine who is responsible, and work to recover the full compensation your family deserves.
Our years of commitment and practice, and dedication to our client’s best interests, are what helped us obtain a jury verdict of $2.3 million for a child who experienced a serious brachial plexus injury when a midwife failed to respond appropriately to a case of shoulder dystocia. If you would like to speak with a qualified attorney about your Pitocin-related birth injury case, you can schedule a free case review at (833) 997-1774 or via our online contact form. We serve clients in Virginia Beach, Hampton, Portsmouth, and Norfolk.
There are a lot of different reasons a doctor may decide to induce labor. Labor can be induced through various methods, including the use of drugs. One such medicine, Pitocin, stimulates the uterus and encourages contractions when labor fails to start on its own or contractions are too weak to be effective. Pitocin is a…