Can Induced Labor Increase Cerebral Palsy Risk?
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and keep their balance. It happens when the brain does not develop properly or gets damaged early in life. Most cases start before birth, but some link to problems during labor and delivery. One question parents ask is whether inducing labor raises the risk of cerebral palsy in babies.
Induced labor means doctors use medicine to start contractions when they are not happening naturally. This often occurs if the pregnancy goes past the due date or there are health concerns for mom or baby. Common drugs include Pitocin and Cytotec. These can help, but if the dose is too high, they may cause strong, frequent contractions. This is called uterine hyperstimulation. It squeezes the placenta too hard and cuts off oxygen to the baby. Lack of oxygen, known as hypoxia, can harm the brain and lead to cerebral palsy.[2]
Not every induced labor causes problems. Risks rise when induction leads to other issues like prolonged labor or the need for forceps or vacuum tools. These tools pull the baby out and can cause head injuries or bleeding in the brain if not used right. Studies show vacuum deliveries have about three times more birth trauma than natural births. Forceps have even higher rates, up to five times more.[3]
Still, most cerebral palsy cases do not come from labor problems. Experts say 85 to 90 percent are congenital, meaning they start before birth due to things like preterm birth or infections. Only about 14.5 percent tie to oxygen loss during delivery. Complications from labor cause just 5 to 10 percent of cases overall.[3][4] Premature babies face the highest risk. Those born before 28 weeks have up to a 15 percent chance of cerebral palsy.[2]
Other factors during pregnancy play a bigger role. For example, placental abruption, where the placenta pulls away too soon, cuts oxygen and nutrients. Post-term pregnancies can weaken the placenta too.[2] Brain bleeding, infections, or very low birth weight also contribute.[1][4]
Doctors weigh these risks carefully before inducing labor. They monitor the baby closely with heart rate checks and ultrasounds. If done right, induction can prevent worse problems like stillbirth in overdue pregnancies.
Sources:
https://www.bila.ca/does-aspirin-use-during-pregnancy-increase-the-risk-of-cerebral-palsy/
https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
https://prosperlaw.com/medical-malpractice-childbirth/
https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/cerebral-palsy
https://www.grossmanjustice.com/new-jersey-cerebral-palsy-lawyer/
