Counsel for Families Who Suffered Pitocin Administration Errors

Accomplished Kentucky medical malpractice law firm

Pitocin is a commonly used drug to help induce labor. If it is administered incorrectly, it can have devastating effects on a new baby. Crandall & Pera Law has helped families throughout Kentucky and Ohio who suffered because a doctor administered too much Pitocin or other labor-inducing drugs. Our team of medical malpractice attorneys, registered nurses and legal staff works hand in hand with clients throughout the process of investigating a claim and building a strategy for a lawsuit.

While in labor, what are things to watch out for? – Dilation of Cervix

How Pitocin works

Pitocin is a synthetic form of oxytocin, a hormone that stimulates contractions. Pitocin is administered in an IV and may be used when:

• A labor has stalled
• There is no increase in dilation after a certain amount of hours
• The baby has been carried past the expected term date
• The contractions are not strong enough to push the baby out
• A woman’s water has broken but the baby has shown no signs of coming out

Pitocin can induce labor or augment labor when the contractions are too weak or too far apart.

Risks associated with the use of Pitocin

While Pitocin and other drugs can help labor progress, they can also cause dangerous contraction patterns that lead to several forms of fetal brain damage. Contractions that are too frequent or too powerful, or both, can lead to a lack of oxygen to the fetus. Contractions that are too strong can also cause severe forces on the fetal head, which can lead to fractured skulls, brain damage through trauma and decreased fetal brain blood flow. If care providers do not monitor the amount of medication as well as the warning signs of overuse, severe brain damage can quickly occur.

Pitocin and drugs like it can take a while to work. If a medical professional becomes impatient or does not properly monitor the mother for the right amount of time, another dose of Pitocin may be administered. This overdose can lead to serious trauma or complications.

One study has linked Pitocin to lower Apgar scores and to increased NICU admission. An Apgar score determines how well your baby handled the birthing process. In some cases, lower Apgar scores have been linked to long-term effects such as brain damage.

Please contact us if you have questions about Pitocin

Crandall & Pera Law knows that not all birth traumas are evident right away. Pitocin may be the cause of a birth injury that does not present for months. If you have questions about Pitocin and its effects on your child, please call 877-686-8879 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment at one of our Kentucky or Ohio office locations. We have four Ohio law offices conveniently located in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Chagrin Falls as well as locations in Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky.