Our attorneys have protected Maryland families for more than four decades. Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton have guided hundreds of birth trauma victims to life-changing recoveries, and our record of multi-million-dollar results speaks for itself.
We understand that fetal acidosis turns a joyous delivery into a medical crisis, so we combine seasoned trial skills with genuine compassion. We work with nationally recognized neonatologists, economists, and life-care planners to prove negligence and secure every dollar your child will need.
Take the first step now. Call our Hagerstown fetal acidosis attorneys at (410) 234-1000 for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let us fight for your child’s future while you focus on healing.
What is fetal acidosis and how can it hurt my baby?
Fetal acidosis is a dangerous drop in a newborn’s blood pH caused by prolonged oxygen deprivation during labor or delivery. The acidic blood injures delicate brain cells, disrupts organ function, and may trigger seizures minutes after birth. Severe acidosis often precedes hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and can lead to lifelong disabilities or death if the medical team does not act immediately.
How could this happen in a Hagerstown hospital?
Fetal acidosis usually signals that something went wrong in the delivery room. Common failures include misreading fetal heart tracings, delaying an emergency C-section, over-stimulating contractions with Pitocin, or ignoring umbilical cord compression. When protocols at facilities such as Meritus Medical Center are not followed, babies along the I-70 and I-81 corridors can suffer avoidable brain damage.
Could my doctor or hospital have prevented fetal acidosis?
Often, yes. Well-trained obstetric teams prevent severe acidosis by continuous monitoring, timely interventions, and rapid surgical delivery when distress appears. Cord-blood gas testing and fetal scalp sampling also help physicians act before pH levels reach the danger zone. When those safety steps are skipped or delayed, responsibility may shift from “unfortunate outcome” to medical malpractice.
What birth injuries and long-term effects can fetal acidosis cause?
Unchecked acidosis can cause:
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) – oxygen-related brain injury frequently treated with NICU cooling therapy.
- Cerebral palsy – permanent motor impairment that may need lifetime therapy. (internal link)
- Seizure disorders and developmental delays.
- Organ damage to the heart, kidneys, or lungs.
- Stillbirth or neonatal death in catastrophic cases.
Uncommon but documented complications include fetal stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and severe behavioral disorders that surface in early childhood. Each outcome brings unique medical, educational, and financial demands that our Hagerstown fetal acidosis lawyers are prepared to document and recover.
What should I do if I suspect my baby’s acidosis was caused by malpractice?
- Seek specialized care for your child immediately.
- Request all medical records—fetal strips, cord blood gases, and NICU notes.
- Contact a birth injury attorney quickly. Maryland generally requires filings within three years of discovery, and every case needs a Certificate of Qualified Expert.
- Avoid signing hospital releases before legal review.
Our firm will investigate the timeline, consult top experts, and tell you whether malpractice occurred.
