Pit to Distress Example of Medical Malpractice Cases; Pitocin Augmentation Implications

Expecting parents or future expecting parents have many things to be aware of, among them is the term “pit to distress.” In order to speed up the labor and delivery process, this term is an order doctors give to increase the levels of a synthetic hormone, Pitocin. Doctors initiate this order because they believe it to be standard procedure to accelerate a painful childbirth. However, less ethical doctors will increase Pitocin to help them get home sooner and/or make room for a new patient to increase their profits. Unfortunately, this practice can put mothers and their babies at serious risk that we at Kajioka & Associates, Attorneys at Law would like to share today.

Pitocin Augmentation

A hormone naturally produced by the body to induce contractions, contribute to social bonding as well as sexual reproduction is Pitocin, a synthetic version of oxytocin. According to a medical source, through an IV in the mother’s arm is how Pitocin is administered by a doctor, nurse or midwife. Until the mother is having regular contractions every two to three minutes, the dose is gradually raised. From there, the doctor will decide whether to stop the dose, decrease it, or continue the Pitocin throughout the delivery.

Inducing Labor with Pitocin

There is a proper time and a place for this drug, though some medical professionals use Pitocin when it is not medically necessary. Pitocin can increase the rate of contractions when labor is prolonged, and the mother is experiencing excessive fatigued. Allowing patients to give birth vaginally, inducing labor in this way may reduce the need for more dangerous c-section deliveries according to recent studies. In cases where the risk of the baby staying in utero exceeds the risk of induction, the inductions are medically necessary.

Pitocin Risks

Fetus Overstimulation: Since the baby, in between contractions, cannot rest.
Uterus Rupture: Especially if mom has a previous C-section scar.
Mother Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH): Pitocin is released in a stream instead of natural oxytocin is released in pulses and aids with the mother’s internal healing processes.
Fetal Distress: Leading to cerebral palsy, fetal distress is caused from low oxygen.
Fetal Heart Rate Decrease or Fetal Death: Doctors should only call for Pitocin when medically necessary because it can cause serious risks. According to surveys, 41% of women who gave birth in hospitals reported that their care provider used Pitocin to try to induce their labor.

Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Business Attorneys & More in Greater Las Vegas, Nevada

Nearly half of mother in the U.S. are being induced, typically with Pitocin. Where this statistic is frightening on its own, of these mothers 70% of them are healthy and their full-term pregnancies are normal. According to this fact, at most Pitocin should only be used 30% of the time or less. Where induction may be necessary, and only used as a back-up plan, to many are turning to it as a normal birth plan. However, the leading cause of malpractice claims is from the use of Pitocin to push labor along. This is leading to a number of problems in delivery for both mother and baby. Because the physicians’ impatience, ignorance, or inaccuracy, injuries to you and your baby during childbirth can occur. This is unacceptable and with an experienced attorney fighting for your claims in court, we at Kajioka & Associates, Attorneys at Law can prove the unnecessary use of Pitocin if it causes any health risks. Call us today to schedule your consultation!

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