When you’re in labor, every heartbeat matters. Parents expect their medical team to be watching closely—not just with their eyes, but with the tools designed to keep both mother and baby safe. Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is one of the most important tools in modern obstetrics. It tracks the baby’s heart rate and the mother’s contractions, creating a continuous record that can signal when something is wrong.
But EFM is only as effective as the people interpreting it. If doctors and nurses miss warning signs, ignore abnormal readings, or delay responding, the consequences can be devastating—ranging from brain injury to lifelong disabilities like cerebral palsy.
How EFM Is Supposed to Work
During labor, two belts are placed around the mother’s abdomen—one to measure the baby’s heart rate and one to measure contractions. The monitor records patterns in real time. Healthy patterns show a baseline heart rate with variability and normal accelerations during fetal movement.
When a baby is in distress—often from lack of oxygen—EFM can show:
- Late decelerations (heart rate drops after a contraction)
- Minimal or absent variability (a flat line instead of healthy fluctuations)
- Prolonged bradycardia (dangerously low heart rate for more than two minutes)
These patterns are medical red flags. Properly trained staff should immediately investigate and, if needed, take emergency action—such as ordering a C-section—to prevent harm.
When Mistakes Happen
Unfortunately, mistakes happen for many reasons:
- The medical team fails to recognize abnormal patterns.
- Nurses see the warning signs but don’t alert the doctor in time.
- The doctor is slow to respond or underestimates the seriousness.
- Communication between staff breaks down during a busy shift.
Sometimes, the problem isn’t the machine—it’s human error. Other times, it’s a combination of technical issues and poor training.
The Cost of a Missed Signal
When EFM errors cause delays in delivery, babies can suffer oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) that leads to:
- Cerebral palsy
- Seizure disorders
- Cognitive impairments
- Hearing or vision loss
- Death
For parents, the result is a lifetime of medical bills, therapy needs, and emotional heartbreak—all because someone failed to act on information that was right in front of them.
Proving EFM Malpractice
Cases involving EFM require careful review of the fetal monitoring strips, medical records, and testimony from experts who can explain what should have happened. At CFCK Law, we work with respected medical specialists to analyze every minute of your labor and delivery.
We look for:
- Abnormal patterns that were missed or ignored.
- Delays in response once distress became clear.
- Whether earlier intervention could have prevented harm.
If negligence played a role, you have the right to seek compensation to cover your child’s needs now and in the future.
Learn more here: Electronic Fetal Monitoring Errors
Why This Matters for Your Child’s Future
A severe birth injury doesn’t just affect the baby—it changes the entire family’s life. You may face ongoing costs for therapy, medical equipment, special education, and even in-home nursing care.
By pursuing a legal claim, you can secure the financial resources to provide the best possible future for your child. That means access to better treatment, adaptive technology, and opportunities they might otherwise miss.
Taking the Next Step
You don’t need to have all the answers before you call a lawyer. If you suspect that negligent fetal monitoring contributed to your child’s injury, CFCK Law can investigate, explain your options, and fight for the compensation your family deserves.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We’re here to listen, to help, and to stand up for your child’s rights.