The drug Pitocin is often used to induce labor. It’s a synthetic form of oxytocin, a natural hormone. When an expectant mother is ready to deliver a baby, her body automatically releases oxytocin, which causes uterine contractions that push the baby into the birth canal.
Doctors use Pitocin to expedite labor, but in some cases, it may cause uterine rupture and other birth injuries. If this has happened to your family, you may wonder, “How can I find birth injury attorneys near me?” Snyder & Wenner can answer that question and many more.
Why is Pitocin Use Risky?
As mentioned above, Pitocin is the manufactured form of the hormone oxytocin. When contractions are induced with Pitocin, they may be closer together, longer, and stronger than those occurring naturally. There should be a rest period between contractions; the unborn baby needs these breaks to get oxygen back into their vital organs. When there’s no rest between contractions, the baby won’t get enough air, and there’s a higher risk of brain injury, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays.
It’s Important to Use Pitocin Carefully
Every mother responds to Pitocin differently, so it’s important for doctors and delivery teams to monitor the dosage, watch for indications of uterine overstimulation, and monitor the baby’s heartbeat. When laboring mothers receive Pitocin, fetal heart monitors are used. In some cases, Pitocin use is discontinued, and babies are delivered by Cesarean section to minimize the risk of injury. If an injury occurs and you need to find birth injury attorneys near me, give Snyder & Wenner a call or visit them online.
