The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug Cytotec (Misoprostol) for treating stomach ulcers, but not for inducing labor. Still, many medical professionals have used the drug to help initiate labor, and as a result, some mothers and their babies have been harmed.
If you believe you or your baby were harmed due to a medical professional’s use of Cytotec during your pregnancy, you can pursue legal action for a Cytotec injury during pregnancy. In a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit, you could recover any damages you and/or your baby suffered. Our firm can help you with your legal action.
Can Cytotec Damage Pregnancy?
Cytotec isn’t meant for use during pregnancy or childbirth. Still, some medical professionals use it because it can cause a woman’s cervix to thin and the uterus to contract, which can help to induce labor.
However, the drug can cause extreme contractions, increasing the risk of uterine rupture. When the drug is used on a woman who previously had a cesarean delivery or has given birth several times, the drug can substantially increase the risk of uterine rupture.
Uterine rupture, or tearing of the uterus, can be very harmful to the mother and the baby. For instance, the baby may suffer from a shortage of oxygen, leading to a serious birth injury.
What the Experts Say
The FDA does not approve of Cytotec being used to induce labor, and neither does the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG). AJOG surmised as early as 1997 that Cytotec may cause “excessive uterine activity and uterine rupture.” The drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer, also warns that the drug is not safe for initiating labor.
Could My Child or I Have Suffered a Cytotec Injury During Pregnancy?
If a medical professional used Cytotec during your pregnancy or delivery and you or your baby suffered injuries, the injuries may be related to the drug. If you suffered a uterine rupture, there’s a strong possibility it was due to the drug. If your baby suffered a birth injury, there’s also a possibility it was due to the drug.
What Should I Do About a Cytotec Injury During Pregnancy?
The use of Cytotec for inducing labor could be considered negligent. For instance, in your case, the medical professional may have used the drug without properly informing you about the potential side effects. Alternatively, the medical professional may have failed to monitor you for signs and symptoms of a uterine rupture or that your baby wasn’t getting enough oxygen.
If you suspect the professional was negligent, you can pursue legal action. With a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages.
However, to prove the medical professional’s negligence, you’ll need evidence, such as medical records. The records made before, during, and after childbirth may help you. For example, the records after childbirth could indicate your child’s birth injury may be attributed to the drug.
How a Birth Injury Lawyer Can Help You With Your Case
It may not be easy for you to manage your medical malpractice case independently. You’ll have to deal with the other party’s insurance company while you try to prove negligence. Gathering evidence may be difficult, and getting a witness or expert to corroborate your evidence may be even more challenging.
With one of our firm’s lawyers on your team, you won’t have to do those things. Instead, you’ll be able to focus on your and your baby’s wellness. These things are more important right now, so consider hiring one of our lawyers.
While you focus on what’s most important, your lawyer will:
- Investigate your case for you
- Collect evidence for your case, including medical records
- Corroborate this evidence with witness or expert statements
- List and valuate damages for you, such as your medical expenses and your child’s pain and suffering
- Establish the other party’s negligence for you
- Negotiate a settlement with the other party’s insurance company
- File a lawsuit and argue your case in court if necessary
The Deadline for Your Case
If you choose to file a lawsuit, your lawyer will file it before the filing deadline. In Maryland, this deadline is five years from the date of an incident or three years from the date of the discovery of medical malpractice, whichever is sooner, per Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-109.
Contact Brown & Barron for Your Case Involving Cytotec Injury During Pregnancy
Your pregnancy and your child’s birth should have been exciting experiences. If your medical professional’s negligent use of Cytotec turned it into a nightmare, you can seek compensation. You and your baby deserve to be healthy, and you deserve closure. Compensation may help you and your baby heal, both physically and emotionally.
With over 137 years of combined experience as trial lawyers and a focus on medical malpractice cases, our team is especially qualified to help you. We can tell you more and advise you during a consultation. This consultation will be free, and if you choose to hire one of our attorneys after your consultation, you won’t pay them unless they win your case. Contact Brown & Barron today for your free consultation.