Birth Injuries Sustained During a Cesarean Section May Be The Result of Medical Negligence  

 Posted on August 17, 2020 in Birth Injuries

Approximately one-third of all infants in the United States are born via Cesarean section or C-section. Some C-sections are planned because the mother or baby has certain risk factors that make vaginal delivery an unsafe option. In other cases, a mother plans to have a traditional birth but complications require an emergency Cesarean delivery. C-sections can often prevent medical complications that would have likely been caused by traditional delivery. However, when a C-section is performed incorrectly, delayed, or performed unnecessarily, preventable birth injures may occur.  

Delayed C-Sections  

Obstetricians and other medical professionals must carefully evaluate the mother’s medical history and the baby’s health in order to determine whether or not a C-section is a safe delivery method. C-sections are often ordered when the infant is in a breech or transverse position or shows signs of fetal distress. A C-section may also be ordered if the mother experiences problems such as:

• Prolonged labor
• Failure to progress normally during labor
• Umbilical cord prolapse
• Uterine rupture
• Placental abruption
• Placenta Previa

The decision to perform an emergency C-section is one that must be made swiftly. If a doctor waits too long to perform a C-section, the baby may suffer from oxygen deprivation, which can lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, cerebral palsy, and other forms of brain damage. When a doctor fails to order a necessary C-section or delays a C-section and the mother or infant is harmed as a result, the mother may have a valid medical malpractice claim.

Surgical Mistakes During Cesarean Sections

Although it is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States, a C-section is still a major surgical procedure. Surgical mistakes during a C-section can lead to injury or death to the infant and the mother. Some surgical errors are relatively minor. For example, a surgeon may slightly nick the baby when opening the mother’s abdomen with a scalpel. Other mistakes have more severe consequences. The doctor may lacerate the mother’s bladder or bowels and then fail to properly address the problem resulting in dangerous infections. Another major mistake occurs when medical staff leave surgical equipment such as sponges inside of the mother’s body. In cases such as these, a medical malpractice claim may enable the mother to recover compensation for her past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Contact a Cook County Surgical Errors Attorney

If you or your child suffered an injury during birth, the experienced Joliet medical malpractice lawyers at Schwartz Injury Law can help you determine whether or not medical negligence played a role in the injury. Call our office today at 815-723-7300 and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Source:

https://www.webmd.com/baby/what-happens-during-c-section#1

https://www.hopeforhie.org/whatishie