Doctors often recommend inducing labor to help a mother deliver safely. To start contractions, they may suggest methods such as amniotomy (“breaking the water”). This is when your doctor makes a small opening in the amniotic sac to release the fluid. While this is common practice, it also removes the sterile barrier that protects the baby.
If labor takes too long after this process, bacteria can enter the uterus, increasing the risk of a serious infection known as chorioamnionitis.
What is chorioamnionitis?
Chorioamnionitis is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the amniotic fluid and the membranes surrounding the baby. It typically occurs when bacteria move up from the vagina into the uterus. Common symptoms during labor include:
- High fever and sweating
- Fast heart rate for both you and the baby
- A painful or tender belly, especially when touched
- Bad smell coming from the amniotic fluid
According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, this infection occurs in about 4% of term deliveries. It can be more common in preterm births, or when labor stalls in mothers who have reached their due date.
If the infection is not treated quickly, bacteria can spread to the blood, leading to sepsis. In severe cases, surgeons may have to perform a hysterectomy to save the mother’s life.
Standards of care during induction
Medical staff should follow accepted safety standards to avoid this type of infection, especially for mothers who may be at a higher risk. These include:
- Watching the clock: The risk of infection grows over time. Nurses and doctors should watch your temperature closely. They also need to regularly monitor the baby’s heart rate to catch early signs of illness.
- Limiting exams: Vaginal exams can accidentally push bacteria inside you. If a mother is in active labor, the staff should limit the number of times they check on your progress after your water breaks.
- Acting fast: How your medical team reacts matters most. If you show signs of chorioamnionitis, the general practice is to give antibiotics right away.
A medical team might be negligent if they ignored clear symptoms of an infection, such as a fever. If they failed to give you medicine, they may have allowed the infection to get worse.
Seeking answers and justice after a traumatic birth
Not every bad outcome is due to negligence. However, protocols exist to keep patients safe. If you believe your medical team missed the warning signs or delayed necessary treatment, it can be helpful to speak with a legal professional. An attorney can review the medical records and help you understand if they met the standard of care.