Timely C-Sections May Prevent Some Birth Injuries and Other Complications

The birth of a child is one of the happiest days in the lives of parents. Unfortunately, a birth injury can turn a joyful day into one of sadness and uncertainty. Birth injuries can happen when mistakes are made during labor or delivery, or when the doctor does not properly monitor or evaluate the medical condition of the mother and baby. When complications occur there may be an immediate need for a C-section. Timely C-sections may prevent some birth injuries from occurring.

Inadequate Monitoring of Baby or Mother

Both the baby and the mother should be monitored during labor and delivery. The reason for monitoring is to be quickly alerted to any abnormal circumstances that could lead to a problematic birth. For instance, if a problem is identified with the baby’s oxygen levels, the doctor only has a couple of minutes to make a decision on how to proceed. The failure to notice a problem, inadequate monitoring, or making an error in judgment could cause injury to the infant.

Determining the Need for a C-Section

Sometimes a C-section may be warranted, and is known from an early stage of pregnancy. For example, if the baby is large in size, which often happens due to diabetes, the best option for delivery is a C-section. There are times when labor is not progressing as it should, or the baby is not turned in the proper direction. In these cases, the doctor should decide whether a c-section should be performed to prevent potential complications or injuries. According to the discussions shared with Hastings Law Firm, this is where a noticeable amount of malpractices take place.

Failure to Perform a Timely C-Section

Doctors may be reluctant to perform a C-section for a number of reasons. The overuse of C-section surgery in the past may have caused hesitancy. Additionally, there are some risks to surgery that should be reviewed before making the decision to move forward. However, in cases where the infant is in distress, a C-section is necessary. Waiting too long to decide to perform the procedure could cause the infant further distress, including the risk of birth injuries.

Birth Injuries That May Be Avoided

When labor or delivery becomes difficult it can lead to problems. If the infant is suffering hypoxia, lack of oxygen, the baby could suffer brain damage. When a baby becomes stuck during delivery, the doctor must assist the birth, often using devices such as forceps or vacuum extraction. These tools can harm the baby, causing bruises, broken bones, or damage to the brachial plexus, the bundle of nerves that controls arm and hand movements. These injuries may be avoided when the doctor performs a C-section.

If your infant suffered an injury during birth, it may be due to the negligence of the doctor or medical staff. Call the compassionate legal team at Udall Shumway PLC to schedule a consultation.

This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you or someone you know wishes to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney regarding Timely C-Sections May Prevent Some Birth Injuries, or other personal injury matters, call Mesa AZ Personal Injury Attorney Clark R. Richter at 480-461-5321 or contact him at crr@udallshumway.com for a free consultation to discuss your rights and options. Udall Shumway PLC is located in Mesa, Arizona and is a full service law firm. We assist Individuals, families, businesses, schools and municipalities in Mesa and the Phoenix/East Valley.