Cesarean delivery may be recommended for a variety of reasons, when vaginal delivery is not considered safe or possible. However, risks associated with C-section deliveries are higher than those linked to vaginal birth. In some cases, medical staff may be held accountable for C-section mistakes that leave a lasting impact on the mother or her child.
Reasons for a Cesarean delivery
In some cases, a C-section delivery might be planned ahead of time, if the physician knows a vaginal delivery could be unsafe. These reasons might include problems with the placenta, a chronic health condition in the mother or the delivery of multiple babies. Some physicians will also recommend a Cesarean delivery if the mother has had C-sections in the past, to reduce the risks associated with a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean).
Other situations might warrant an emergency C-section, such as:
- Labor is progressing too slowly, or stops completely
- The child is too large for the birth canal
- Positioning of the child makes vaginal birth risky (shoulder is caught behind mother’s pubic bone)
- Location of the umbilical cord presents additional risk
- Baby shows signs of fetal distress during delivery process
In these circumstances a prompt decision to perform a C-section can make all the difference in the health of the child. When the Cesarean delivery is delayed for any reason, or C-section mistakes are made, serious and permanent birth injuries can result.
Types of C-section mistakes
Whether a C-section is planned or performed as an emergency procedure, mistakes can happen. Some of the common mistakes seen with C-sections include:
- Delayed decision to perform Cesarean birth
- Lacerations to the newborn from the uterine incision
- Broken bones if the newborn is incorrectly removed from the uterus
The mother also faces risks during a Cesarean delivery, including infection, blood clots and complications from the anesthesia. If there is uncontrollable bleeding during the delivery, an emergency hysterectomy may have to be performed after the birth of the child. Although rare, the risk of maternal death is also higher with a C-section delivery than a vaginal birth.
Some of the most dangerous mistakes associated with C-sections involve a delay of the procedure. When a C-section is not performed quickly in an emergency situation, this can result in oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain and vital organs. Also known as hypoxia, oxygen deprivation can result in brain damage, cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy and even death.
When to consult birth injury attorneys
When C-section mistakes in the delivery room lead to birth injuries, the entire family suffers physically and emotionally. In addition, numerous costs surround the treatment for these types of birth injuries, including ongoing medical expenses, round-the-clock care and lost wages as parents take off work to care for their injured child. If medical malpractice can be linked to the mistakes, the family may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
The birth injury attorneys at Balkin & Eisbrouch have more than four decades of experience negotiating settlements and pursuing jury awards for their clients. If your family has been the victim of medical negligence that resulted in a birth injury, call our office today. We offer complimentary consultations, and no fee is collected unless you receive damages.
Resources
Resources
- Mayo Clinic, C-Section Risks, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/c-section/MY00214/DSECTION=risks
- WebMD, Cesarean Section Risks and Complications, http://www.webmd.com/baby/tc/cesarean-section-risks-and-complications
- American Pregnancy Association, Risks of a Cesarean Procedure, http://americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/cesareanrisks.html
- March of Dimes, What You Need to Know about C-Section, http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/what-you-need-to-know-about-c-section.aspx
- Lamaze International, The Risks of Cesarean Section for Mother and Baby, http://www.lamazeinternational.org/p/cm/ld/fid=126
