Medical Malpractice Spotlight: Mismanagement of Pitocin During Labor

Labor typically begins between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. Although scientists are not entirely sure what starts this process, one trigger is the pituitary gland releasing oxytocin into the bloodstream. When this hormone reaches the uterus, contractions begin. Ideally, these contractions become more frequent, longer-lasting, and intense, enabling a natural delivery.

If labor doesn’t begin or progress appropriately, doctors may administer a synthetic form of oxytocin. (Pitocin is one of the most commonly used brands of synthetic oxytocin, and its name is frequently used when describing the drug generically.) When administered appropriately, Pitocin can help facilitate a safe and timely delivery. However, when mismanaged, it can cause serious harm to both a mother and her child.

Common medical errors related to Pitocin include incorrect dosing, poor monitoring, failure to recognize complications, and delayed discontinuation. These errors often result from negligence. If you’ve been injured because of a Pitocin-related mistake, you may have grounds to file a Michigan medical malpractice lawsuit.

Common Pitocin-Related Errors

Common errors related to Pitocin include:

• Improper initial dosing. Pitocin should be started at a low dose and adjusted slowly to achieve effective contractions without overstimulation. Hospitals typically follow protocols that begin with 1–2 milliunits/minute and increase in small increments. Administering too much Pitocin too quickly can cause hyperstimulation of the uterus. This condition can decrease oxygen to the fetus and increase the risk of uterine rupture.
• Improper monitoring during administration. It’s critical to properly monitor the rate of uterine contractions and the fetal heart rate during Pitocin administration. With continuous, careful monitoring, a woman’s care team can spot early signs of fetal distress or excessive uterine activity. Failure to monitor correctly or properly interpret the monitoring data can delay interventions and lead to injuries.
• Failure to discontinue or reduce dosage. A mother’s care team should immediately reduce or discontinue Pitocin if they observe signs of fetal distress or uterine overstimulation. Tachysystole (too many uterine contractions in a given period) can compromise fetal oxygenation. This condition can lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), brain damage, or death if the care team doesn’t intervene immediately and appropriately.

Adverse outcomes don’t automatically mean medical malpractice occurred. Most labor and delivery teams use the utmost professional care and skill to care for their patients. Despite this, it is sometimes impossible to prevent injuries.

In other cases, injuries result from a healthcare professional’s or facility’s negligence. This includes errors by doctors, nurses, or other staff. It can also include organizational policies or procedures that jeopardize patient safety. If negligence caused your labor and delivery injury, you may have grounds for a Michigan medical malpractice lawsuit.

When Mismanagement Becomes Malpractice

Under Michigan law, medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s failure to meet the accepted standard of care results in injury. When a labor and delivery team fails to properly manage Pitocin and the baby or mother is harmed, this may constitute negligence. To succeed in such a case, you must:

• Present evidence showing the applicable professional standard of care.
• Prove that the defendants’ actions or failure to act fell short of the applicable standard of care.
• Prove that the defendants’ breach of their duty caused injury to you or your child.
• Document the resulting damages (provide evidence of past and projected future economic expenses and testimony regarding non-economic expenses).

Expert testimony is crucial to building a successful case for Pitocin-related malpractice. Common fact patterns that could establish malpractice include:

• Failure to follow established protocols.
• Inadequate or improper fetal heart rate monitoring.
• Delayed response to signs of fetal distress.
• Improper dosing of Pitocin.
• Failure to discontinue medication in response to warning signs.

An experienced birth injury and medical malpractice attorney can review your records and help you understand whether the facts may indicate malpractice. They will engage medical experts to conduct an independent review and determine whether you may have a claim.

Injuries from Pitocin Mismanagement

Too much Pitocin may cause a condition called placental abruption, when the placenta partly or completely separates from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery. Abruption interrupts the flow of oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the baby. It can also cause heavy bleeding in the mother.

If a care team administers Pitocin without appropriate fetal monitoring, they may also fail to notice signs of distress until it’s too late. A care team must carefully monitor for non-reassuring fetal heart tones and evidence of tachysystole. If they don’t interpret the signs correctly and react immediately, hypoxia (insufficient oxygen) can cause brain damage to the baby.

Oxygen deprivation during birth can cause severe, permanent delays and damage, affecting an infant’s cognitive function, movement, and communication abilities. It may also cause cerebral palsy, impacting a child’s movement, posture, mobility, muscle tone, and muscle control.

Recovering Compensation for Pitocin Birth Injuries

Hospitals and obstetric teams must adhere to clinical guidelines when using Pitocin. Organizations must establish clear protocols, conduct regular staff training, and support effective communication among team members. They should inform all patients about the risks associated with Pitocin use and the dangers of complications when using Pitocin to induce or accelerate labor.

If your child suffered severe birth injuries because of improper Pitocin management, you may be able to pursue a malpractice suit in Michigan. A lawsuit can help you ensure you have the financial resources to provide lifetime medical care for your child and give them every possible opportunity. It can also help improve the safety and reliability of Michigan’s medical care systems by holding negligent providers accountable.

Contact an Experienced Birth Injury and Medical Malpractice Attorney

Pitocin mismanagement can be a life-altering error with serious physical and legal consequences. Michigan families affected by such negligence have the right to seek justice. Experienced birth injury attorneys understand the intricacies of Pitocin administration, the medical standards of care, and the critical components of identifying liability and pursuing appropriate claims.

The knowledgeable, compassionate team of attorneys at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. can help you pursue claims related to Pitocin mismanagement and other labor and delivery issues. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation.