Experiencing a medical crisis during childbirth is overwhelming. Fetal acidosis, an unsafe rise in acid levels in a newborn’s blood when oxygen runs low, can turn what should be a joyful day into months of fear and uncertainty. 

Our attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. have spent four decades helping families in Dundalk, Baltimore County, and across Maryland understand what happened, why it happened, and how to secure the resources their children will need for life-long care.

all Dundalk fetal-acidosis attorneys Jonathan Schochor or Kerry Staton at (410) 234-1000, or send us a secure message right now.

What Is Fetal Acidosis and Why Does It Happen?

Fetal acidosis occurs when a baby does not receive enough oxygen before or during birth, causing carbon dioxide and lactic acid to build up in the bloodstream. Common medical triggers include umbilical cord compression or prolapse, prolonged or obstructed labor such as shoulder dystocia, placental insufficiency or abruption, and failure to respond quickly when electronic fetal monitors show distress. 

Multiple births and very large babies (macrosomia) place additional stress on oxygen delivery. Because Dundalk area hospitals follow statewide protocols for continuous heart-rate monitoring, providers should detect warning signs early and intervene before permanent harm occurs.

Is Fetal Acidosis a Preventable Birth Injury?

Many episodes of fetal acidosis can be avoided with diligent care. When obstetric teams monitor heart-rate tracings, guard against dangerous contractions, or perform a prompt emergency C-section, oxygen levels usually stabilize. Negligence arises when professionals ignore abnormal tracings, misuse labor-inducing drugs, delay necessary surgery, or overlook prenatal conditions such as maternal diabetes or pre-eclampsia. If proper steps could have spared your baby from acidosis, Maryland law allows families to hold every responsible provider accountable.

What Signs of Fetal Distress Should Doctors Catch?

Abnormal heart rate patterns such as late decelerations, bradycardia, or tachycardia are the earliest red flags. Other danger signals include meconium-stained amniotic fluid, reduced fetal movement, intense uterine contractions, or maternal bleeding that suggests placental abruption. 

During labor, providers can confirm acidosis by sampling fetal scalp blood for low pH or by checking umbilical cord gases after delivery. Immediate responses like maternal oxygen, IV fluids, repositioning, or emergency C-section are the standard of care when these signs appear. Failure to act within minutes can cause irreversible brain injury.

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