Get your birth injury questions answered by our expert lawyers. Find answers on prenatal care, testing and signs of stress and effect on your baby.

What Are the Signs of Fetal Distress?

Fetal distress is an emergency pregnancy, labor, and delivery complication in which a baby experiences oxygen deprivation (birth asphyxia). Signs of fetal distress may include:  Changes in the baby’s heart rate (as seen on a fetal heart rate monitor) Decreased fetal movement Meconium in the amniotic fluid (increasing risk for meconium aspiration) Medical staff should…

What is an amniotomy?

An amniotomy, also known as artificial rupture of membranes (abbreviated AROM or ARM), is a procedure in which a woman’s amniotic membrane is ruptured prior to or during the labor process. Amniotomy: Overview The amniotic sac is a fluid-filled sac, composed of membranes, in which the fetus develops. Sometimes, the sac will spontaneously burst near…

What tests should my doctor perform during pregnancy?

When a woman first becomes pregnant, the amount of information given to her about prenatal care may be overwhelming. Throughout this page, our birth injury team will explain the prenatal tests (also known as antenatal tests) that physicians perform to ensure the health and proper development of a newborn baby. The main goal of these…

How should I choose an obstetrician for my pregnancy and delivery?

Choosing an obstetrician is an exciting, personal, and important start to a pregnancy. While most pregnancies result in healthy babies, dangerous complications can arise during pregnancy, labor, and delivery that can cause permanent, devastating injuries to the mother and/or baby. Given the extreme consequences of mishandled complications, it is important for parents to play a proactive role in…