Timing is critical in childbirth. If complications arise during a pregnancy, the decision to induce labor or deliver the baby becomes vital.
But what happens when 40 weeks come and go, and there is no sign of labor? What happens if the mother continues to be pregnant and her doctor does not intervene to induce labor?
The risks of a delayed induction
Typically, after 40 weeks of pregnancy, most doctors would have a discussion with the mother about inducing labor. There are many health risks associated with waiting too long after 40 weeks of pregnancy that can harm both mother and baby.
Oxygen deprivation
Waiting too long to deliver the baby can result in reduced oxygen supply to the baby, and hypoxia can develop. This lack of oxygen can result in brain damage, delays in the baby’s development or even stillbirth.
Meconium Aspiration
One of the most dangerous things that can happen if the baby is in distress, which can occur if the mother passes 40 weeks of pregnancy and the baby needs to come out, is that they may pass meconium, which is their first stool, in utero.
Meconium then goes into the amniotic fluid, and if the baby inhales meconium while in utero or during childbirth, it can have severe respiratory issues and long-term health problems.
Infections
The longer a mother is pregnant or in labor, especially if her membranes have ruptured, the higher the risk of infection for both the mother and the baby. Infections can lead to sepsis, which is an infection of the blood and can result in death.
Fetal distress
Delays in delivering the baby can cause the fetus to go through severe distress, which can cause all sorts of complications and injuries to the baby. It is critical to know what to do—whether that is to deliver the baby via induction or cesarean section—in time and before complications arise.
Who is responsible?
Questions of medical negligence can arise in cases where a delayed induction or delivery leads to harm. Healthcare providers owe their patients a duty to act in their patients’ best interests.
In most cases, doctors are expected to understand the area of medicine they practice thoroughly. If a doctor fails to recognize the signs of distress or the necessity for medical intervention to deliver the baby, they may be held liable for malpractice.