What Causes Birth Injuries?
A baby’s injury is always devastating to the parents. It is all the more tragic when it occurs during, immediately after, or even before birth. You go from dreaming about all the possibilities for your child to confronting the harsh reality of the many limitations and challenges that now lay ahead.
It is important to remember that not all birth injuries are the result of medical malpractice. Sometimes these injuries occur despite a doctor’s or hospital’s best efforts. While it doesn’t lessen the hurt and pain experienced by both the parents and the child, it may, unfortunately, limit some of the options available to protect and provide for the child’s future. (If you fall into this category, there are resources available to help you plan your child’s future. Go here to download a whitepaper that discusses your options).
It is possible, however, that a birth injury was avoidable; that is, it only happened because a doctor or hospital made an error that broke the standard of care. Understandably most parents are not experienced or educated enough in how birth injuries occur to determine on their own if their child’s injury was inevitable or avoidable.
Considering the physical, financial, and emotional toll all this can take on parents and their baby, many people in this situation choose to take legal action against the parties responsible for a birth injury. Understanding common causes of birth injuries that can lead to a legal claim can help parents and caregivers as they plan for an uncertain future.
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Learn More3 Common Causes of Birth Injuries
- Delayed care– Injuries to an unborn baby can happen if doctors or nurses fail to act promptly. For example, delaying a cesarean section operation can result in serious trauma to the baby and mother. In some cases, delayed care results in a baby being deprived of oxygen. This can lead to conditions like cerebral palsy.
- Inadequate monitoring– At least one person during a delivery should be responsible for monitoring the baby and the mother’s health. If a mother or baby’s blood or oxygen levels spike or plummet, swift and effective action must be taken. This can only happen if someone is properly monitoring the patients. If there are inadequate monitoring practices in place, critical information and conditions can be missed.
- Improper use of a medical device – It is essential that medical devices used during delivery are used properly and only when necessary. Reckless or negligent use of devices like a vacuum or forceps during delivery can leave a baby permanently disfigured or injured.
Birth Injuries + Pregnancy-Related Injuries
