A 4,580-g, 38 5/7 weeks’ gestation male infant was delivered by a 33-year-old gravida 5, para 1, aborta 1 woman whose pregnancy had been unremarkable. One month before delivery, the woman reported a decrease in fetal movement, but fetal activity resumed subsequently and the nonstress test result was normal. The pregnancy continued without problems. However, when labor began and the fetus did not descend, she received oxytocin to augment labor. Fetal tachycardia, decreased variability, and excessive uterine activity were noted. Also, inadequate rest time between contractions appeared as the second stage of labor was approaching. The plaintiff obstetrician pointed out that the fetus was being stressed since the peak of 1 contraction to the next peak should be at least 2 minutes, and the end of 1 contraction to the beginning of the next should be at least 1 minute. He also discussed that oxytocin should have been discontinued because...
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January 2018
