San Francisco Fetal Distress

What is Fetal Distress?

Fetal distress is a type of medical condition that occurs in obstetrics when a pregnant woman shows signs that her fetus is becoming fatigued or is not well.  These signs may become present prior to childbirth or during childbirth.  Once pregnant women are in the care of hospitals and physicians, it is up to the medical professionals to monitor the mother and to watch for signs of fetal distress.  If medical professionals notice fetal distress has become an area of concern, they must act immediately to ensure that the health of the fetus is not compromised.  From expediting vaginal deliveries to ordering emergency cesarean sections, medical professionals must do all that they can to alleviate distress or else the health of both the mother and the infant may be jeopardized.

Causes of Fetal Distress

There are several things that may lead to fetal distress.  However, some of the most common causes are:  breathing problems, oxygen deficiency, fetuses being in abnormal positions, fetuses being breech, multiple births, umbilical cords being wrapped around fetuses' necks and placental abruption.  If these causes are not immediately identified and corrected, fetuses may remain in distress, which can result in serious medical conditions such as brain damage and cerebral palsy.

Fetal Distress & Personal Injury Law

After parents have learned that their child sustained a birth injury from remaining in fetal distress and that their medical providers played a role in their child's being injured, they should take the time to discuss their legal options with a compassionate San Francisco birth injury law firm.  In some cases, parents may learn that they have the right to file claims against negligent medical professionals to collect compensation for their child's injuries.

San Francisco Birth Injury Lawyers