When a woman is pregnant, they need to go to a doctor who specializes in
obstetrics and gynecology. These are often referred to as OB/GYNs. These
doctors understand everything about pregnancy, labor, and delivery so
the mother has a knowledgeable professional on her side who can put her
mind at ease during this process. There are a number of things OB/GYNs
must do to provide the service a pregnant woman needs. Here are some of
their responsibilities.
Regularly Check the Fetal Heartbeat
Soon-to-be-mothers schedule regular appointments to see their OB/GYNs in
order to get check-ups on their own well-being, as well as the health
of the baby. The doctor is expected to monitor the fetal heartbeat in
order to determine if anything is irregular and if the heart is either
beating too slow or too fast.
If the OB/GYN recognizes any problems, they must act quickly to figure
out what exactly is wrong and what they can do to remedy it. By monitoring
fetal heart rate, the OB/GYN can also determine if there is something the
mother is doing that needs to be changed.
Recognizing Signs of Distress
If a fetus experiences any kind of distress, the doctor must determine
the cause and provide treatment. For instance, if the heart rate is low,
it can mean that the baby is not receiving enough oxygen due to umbilical
cord strangulation. There are some methods to treat this, but it’s
up to the OB/GYN to analyze the exact situation.
Perform Delivery
The OB/GYN will be the doctor — along with others — to perform
the delivery. This also means ensuring that everything goes according
to plan and all complications are properly addressed. There are a number
of things that can go wrong, and the OB/GYN must make decisions to deliver
the baby in the safest way possible whether through an emergency cesarean
section or through other means.
Unfortunately, there are times when OB/GYNs do not fulfill their obligations
to their patients. This can lead to long-term damage for both the mother
and the baby. Our legal team at Hampton & King recognizes the role
of an OB/GYN and we know that if they are negligent, they can cause serious
harm and legal action may be taken.
Our
Houston birth injury attorneys want to help you right the wrongs that you have experienced. Count on
us to put together a strong cases based on our experience and wealth of
knowledge, as well as using our full-time MD and nurses to recreate the
doctor’s actions.
Call for your free consultation today.