When a woman is in labour, one of the most important tools doctors and nurses rely on is fetal heart monitoring. This monitoring helps the healthcare team understand how a baby is handling labour, and whether there are signs of distress that may require urgent medical intervention.
When monitoring is not done properly or when concerning patterns are ignored the results can be devastating.
During labour, a baby’s heart rate is continuously or intermittently tracked. This can be done with:
- External monitoring: Using sensors on the mother’s belly.
- Internal monitoring: Using a small electrode placed directly on the baby’s scalp after the membranes have ruptured.
The goal is to ensure the baby is tolerating labour well, especially during contractions when oxygen levels may fluctuate.
Why Fetal Heart Monitoring Matters During Labour
A baby’s heart rate can provide real-time clues about oxygen supply and overall well-being. When a baby is not getting enough oxygen, brain and organ damage can occur quickly. By watching the fetal heart monitor closely, healthcare providers can detect problems early and respond- whether by adjusting labour management, giving oxygen, or performing an emergency cesarean section.
Failing to act promptly on abnormal heart rate patterns is one of the most common causes of birth injury lawsuits. Problems may arise if:
- Monitoring is not done when it should be.
- Abnormal patterns are missed or misinterpreted.
- Staff delay calling a doctor or delay moving to a cesarean delivery when needed.
When this happens, babies can suffer hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, developmental delays, or other serious conditions from a lack of blood flow and oxygen.
Key Fetal Heart Rate Patterns Explained
- Baseline Heart Rate: The baby’s usual heart rate between contractions (normal: 110–160 beats per minute).
- Variability: Small fluctuations in the heart rate from beat to beat, showing the baby’s nervous system is functioning well. Good variability is reassuring.
- Accelerations: Temporary increases in heart rate. These are reassuring and usually mean the baby is doing well.
- Decelerations: A drop in the fetal heart rate. Some are harmless, others are warning signs:
- Early decelerations: Coincides with a contraction and usually mirrors them. Usually benign, often due to head compression.
- Variable decelerations: Abrupt drops in the heartrate. Often caused by cord compression. Mild variables may not be concerning, but repetitive and prolonged variables may signal oxygen deprivation.
- Late decelerations: These start after a contraction begins and recover only after the contraction ends. These are concerning because they suggest the baby is not getting enough oxygen.
- Prolonged decelerations: Drops in the fetal heart rate lasting more than 2 minutes. These can be dangerous and require urgent action.
Doctors and nurses are trained to recognize and respond to non-reassuring fetal heart patterns. In these situations, the standard of care may require immediate intervention. A delay of even minutes can make the difference between a healthy baby and one with lifelong complications.
Fetal heart monitoring is one of the most critical safeguards during childbirth. When done correctly, it helps ensure a safe delivery. But when healthcare providers fail to recognize or respond to signs of fetal distress, the consequences can be life changing.
Contact a Birth Injury Lawyer Today
Fetal heart monitoring is a critical safeguard during labour. When it is performed incorrectly or warning signs are missed, serious harm can result. If your baby has suffered a birth injury due to delayed response or misinterpreted monitoring, you may have legal options.
Our experienced medical malpractice team will listen to your concerns, explain your rights, and advocate for the support and compensation your family deserves.
Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We are here to help.
