According to the March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center, there were over 130,000 live births in the state of Pennsylvania in 2022. Most births in our state are completed safely; however, in a substantial minority of cases, medical negligence harms the mother, the baby, or both.
Lack of focus and care in the birthing room can result in serious injuries. In this post, we’ll look at some of the most common accidents that occur during hospital childbirths, and the options you have if you find yourself in a situation like this.
Doctors order cesarean sections (C-sections) for a number of reasons. They may be scheduled ahead of time due to recognized medical conditions or ordered on the day of a birth if there is some difficulty with natural delivery. This might occur if, for example, the baby is in an unusual position or the placenta is covering the opening of the cervix.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), C-sections are becoming more common globally. They accounted for around 21% of all births in 2021 and are likely to account for around 29% of births by 2030.
In all cases, it’s up to obstetricians to decide when C-sections are necessary and to order them in a timely fashion. Failure to do so can have disastrous results, including:
Neglecting to order a C-section in a timely fashion may constitute medical malpractice if it results in an injury like one of those discussed here.
Caput succedaneum is a swelling of a baby’s scalp shortly after birth. This is caused by pressure from the mother’s uterus or vaginal wall during delivery. Caput succedaneum can also be caused by the use of vacuum extraction devices during a protracted delivery.
Caput succedaneum often arises when doctors or midwives use excessive force or improper techniques during a difficult delivery, such as incorrect use of forceps or vacuum extraction. Inadequate monitoring of the baby's position and the birth process may also contribute to unnecessary pressure on the baby's scalp, resulting in swelling.
This condition generally heals by itself over the course of a few days. However, in more serious cases, it can lead to ongoing swelling or bruising. Your baby’s primary care physician should provide guidance on what to expect after the onset of caput succedaneum, as well as whether any treatment may be appropriate.
These may occur due to physical stresses a baby undergoes when passing through the birth canal or contact with bones and tissues in the mother’s pelvis. The use of forceps during delivery can leave marks on a newborn’s head or face, especially when doctors use excessive force. Broken bones can occur with improper use of birth-assisting tools or when an infant is tugged too forcefully. Birthing fractures are particularly common in the collarbone (clavicle).
Many bruises and fractures to newborns will heal relatively quickly, without causing long-term complications. However, some fractures may cause lifelong symptoms, such as nerve damage. If a baby suffers an injury to the bones of the back and neck during childbirth, this can lead to permanent physical disability.
The costs related to an injury like this can be enormous. That’s why it’s crucial to consult with a lawyer right away if you think medical malpractice may have played a role in your baby’s condition.
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that connects the spinal cord to the arms and hands. Brachial plexus palsy (also known as Erb’s palsy) is a condition that causes weakness or loss of movement in the arm and can occur if these nerves are damaged. This type of injury typically occurs during difficult births, especially if the baby’s shoulders get stuck in the birth canal and a doctor tugs on one arm to help extract the child.
It’s important to note that issues like this will not always be the result of medical negligence. Every case is different; if a birth is particularly difficult, there may not be anything a doctor can do to extract the baby without causing some degree of injury. In other cases, however, a doctor’s carelessness may lead them to cause damage unnecessarily.
The distinction between proper and improper care in these cases can often be difficult to identify. That’s why you need a medical malpractice firm with the experience and resources required to get to the bottom of the issues at hand and build as strong a case as possible in your favor.
Suffering a painful and debilitating injury at the very outset of life is one of the most devastating things that can happen to anyone. When something like this affects your child because of the carelessness of doctors or other members of birthing room staff, it’s important to understand that you shouldn’t have to face the accompanying burden without help.
We can help you assess whether you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us by calling 800-969-4400 or filling out our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our birth injury lawyers.
