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When Failure To Respond To Fetal Stress Causes Child Injuries

A nonstress test — also known as fetal heart monitoring — is a common way of evaluating the health of a fetus after the 26th week of pregnancy. This noninvasive test can indicate if a child is not receiving enough oxygen due to problems with the placenta or umbilical cord. It can also indicate other types of health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and kidney problems.

If your doctor failed to perform a nonstress test when indicated, and your child suffered a birth injury as a result, you may have a case of malpractice against your health care provider. Hixson & Brown, P.C., is a West Des Moines medical malpractice law firm dedicated to representing families who have been harmed by misdiagnosis of fetal distress and other types of medical negligence. Our Iowa fetal distress injury lawyers have more than 55 years of combined experience litigating complex birth injury cases and fighting for fair compensation for our clients.

Failure To Diagnose Fetal Distress

Examples of times when a doctor should perform a nonstress test include:

  • The baby is not moving as often as usual.
  • The mother is past her delivery date.
  • The mother is high risk for birth problems.

Fluctuations in a fetus’s heartbeat can be a sign of fetal distress. Other symptoms of distress may include increases in the blood lactate level and fetal acidosis.

Free Consultation With Our Iowa Delayed Delivery Attorneys

Because the long-term cost of caring for a child with birth injuries is extreme, take action to pursue full compensation within the window of time allowed for such lawsuits by the statute of limitations. To request a free case evaluation, call our failure-to-diagnose-fetal-distress lawyers at 515-644-6133. You can also reach us via our online contact form.