A safe delivery is a priority for all parents and for most medical care providers. And one of the most effective tools to reduce the risk of birth injuries and complications is electronic fetal monitoring. When properly implemented, this monitoring method can provide early detection of complications that threaten the health and safety of both mother and child. Your Pennsylvania birth injury attorney wants you to understand the importance of this birth injury prevention method.  

What Is Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM)? 

Electronic fetal monitoring is a technique used during labor and delivery to continuously track the baby’s heart rate as well as the mother’s uterine contractions. There are two main types of EFM: 

• External monitoring: This method places sensors on the mother’s abdomen. One sensor uses ultrasound to detect the baby’s heartbeat while another measures the frequency and duration of uterine contractions. 
• Internal monitoring: This method places a thin catheter through the cervix into the uterus to directly measure the pressure of contractions. Doctors also attach a small electrode to the baby’s scalp to provide a more precise and continuous heart rate reading. Internal monitoring is typically used when external monitoring doesn’t provide clear readings or when doctors determine that closer monitoring is best. 

Healthcare providers monitor readings to observe patterns and identify any deviations from the normal range that might indicate fetal distress. 

Why EFM Is So Important in Preventing Birth Injuries 

EFM provides a continuous window into the baby’s response to the stresses of labor. By constantly assessing the fetal heart rate and the mother’s uterine contractions, doctors can detect early signs of potential problems that could lead to birth injuries.  

Think of EFM as an early warning system, giving the medical team the opportunity to take action before catastrophic and permanent birth injuries occur. 

The Types of Conditions EFM Can Prevent 

When used and interpreted correctly, EFM can help prevent a range of birth injuries, including the following: 

• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): By identifying signs of fetal distress due to oxygen deprivation, doctors may be able to restore the baby’s oxygen supply before permanent brain damage occurs. 
• Cerebral Palsy: In some cases, cerebral palsy can be a consequence of oxygen deprivation during labor and delivery. EFM can help mitigate this risk by helping doctors intervene faster. 
• Fetal Acidosis: Abnormal fetal heart rate patterns can indicate a buildup of acid in the baby’s blood, which can be harmful if not addressed promptly. EFM helps identify these patterns so doctors can take action. 

These are just a few of the conditions that EFM can help prevent. Keep in mind that the system is only as effective as the doctors interpreting the readings. Doctors who ignore signs of distress or who respond in ways that other medical care providers could be guilty of medical negligence. 

What Happens if Your Doctor Doesn’t Monitor Your Child? 

Failing to appropriately monitor a baby’s well-being during labor and delivery, especially when there are known risk factors associated with the pregnancy, can violate the accepted standard of medical care.  

If the lack of electronic fetal monitoring, or the improper interpretation of EFM data, directly leads to a preventable birth injury, it could be considered a form of medical negligence. That’s why monitoring is so important. Without it, preventable birth injuries could happen and, if they do, not only will the child suffer—the mother could, too. 

Consult With a Pennsylvania Birth Injury Attorney Today 

If your medical care team didn’t use EFM and your child experienced a catastrophic and permanent birth injury as a result, you may be eligible to file a medical negligence claim against the team. Contact us to speak with a Pennsylvania birth injury attorney today to learn more about your options.