Placental problems interrupt blood and oxygen supply to the fetus that can result in brain damage. These latter situations are associated with cerebral palsy and mental retardation among other developmental problems. There are other problems during labor that can affect your baby. The use of Pitocin, a drug frequently used to stimulate labor by causing the uterus to contract, can deprive the fetus of oxygen. If this cannot be controlled medically by the doctor, the baby is born premature.
Prematurity is a leading cause of brain and developmental impairment.
Close monitoring, antibiotics, and possibly even a C-section are required. Finally, problems after birth may result in death or neurologic damage if not quickly recognized and treated. In general think about what occurred during your follow-up throughout the pregnancy. Concentrate on what was said to and around you by the doctors, nurses, and staff. Terms at the time of delivery such as meconium staining, breech delivery, fetal distress, and abnormal heart rates including but not limited to decelerations are frequently used at the time of labor.