Birth Injuries Caused by Medication Errors

An expectant mother may experience health issues related to the pregnancy, or they may already be dealing with physical challenges. As a result, the doctor may need to prescribe medication for the mother. In addition, the doctor may also need to administer medication during labor and delivery. Unfortunately, medication errors are a typical example of medical malpractice, and they can even cause harm to the baby. If that happens, your family may have a cause of action for a birth injury that could result in substantial financial compensation.

Do Antidepressants Harm a Baby?

A mother may be experiencing mental health issues, which could result in taking certain antidepressants. However, not all of these drugs are suitable for a pregnant woman. Some may cause damage to a fetus, which can result in birth injuries. For example, the drug Paxil has been linked to heart defects in newborns when a mother has taken it in the first trimester of pregnancy. Although many experts do not believe that there is a link between antidepressants and birth defects, some have been shown to harm a baby, especially when a mother has taken it early in the pregnancy. An obstetrician needs to inquire about any medications the mother has taken on the first visit and give their best medical advice accordingly.

Administering Other Dangerous Medications During Pregnancy

There are many medications that a mother may take for her existing health conditions that can harm the baby. The doctor may prescribe teratogenic drugs, which can impact fetal development. For example, the mother may be taking medication for a thyroid condition, which can be dangerous to a fetus. However, it can endanger the mother’s health to suddenly stop taking medications that she is already using to treat certain health conditions. A doctor must closely monitor the situation and any potential danger to the baby before giving medical advice to stop taking certain medications.

Improper Administration of Anesthesia During Labor and Deliveries

The mother may receive an epidural to help her manage the pain during the labor and delivery process. The anesthesiologist could improperly administer the medication, causing the mother permanent injury. At the same time, the obstetrician may also fail to monitor the baby’s heart in response to any labor-inducing medication. This can cause permanent brain damage, especially when the baby has oxygen cut off during the labor and delivery process.

Other Medication Errors That Can Cause Birth Injuries

A doctor could prescribe the right medication to address a health issue. However, they may prescribe an incorrect dosage. While a medication may be safe on its surface, too much of it can harm a baby. Further, a doctor could incorrectly write a prescription or enter information into a computer. Thus, the mother could receive an entirely different medication or the wrong dosage of it.

Further, doctors often tend to prescribe medication for off-label uses. They may not consider the effect on a developing fetus, causing permanent damage to the baby. One example is the use of Cytotec to induce labor. Even though the primary purpose of Cytotec is not to induce labor, and it can be dangerous for the baby, some doctors may use it for this exact purpose.

Birth injury cases are the same as any other medical malpractice lawsuit. To win your case, you would need to prove that the doctor was negligent. Here, negligence means that a doctor did something that would be considered unreasonable under the circumstances. They would need to have acted in a way that the ordinary doctor would not have. Making a mistake in administering medication is a prime example of medical negligence.

Contact a Belleville Birth Injury Lawyer at The Cates Law Firm Today

If you or your child has suffered a birth injury resulting from negligence, a Belleville birth injury lawyer at The Cates Law Firm can fight for you to receive compensation from the responsible doctor. You can schedule a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys by completing our online form or by calling us at 618-277-3644. Our office is in Swansea, Illinois, and we gladly serve clients in St. Louis, Belleville, East St. Louis, Edwardsville, Granite City, Waterloo, Chester, Carbondale, St. Clair County, Madison County, Monroe County, Randolph County, and other regions throughout Southern Illinois.