Most injuries occur in induced or operative births as opposed
to natural vaginal birth. Most injuries are not as a result
of medical malpractice and may range from mild to severe and
from temporary to long term. The most frequent injuries include;
Brain Damage
can result from oxygen deprivation and may result in seizure,
cerebral Palsy or mental impairment
Brachial Plexus Injuries
including Erbs Palsy and Klumpke's Palsy occur when the brachial
plexus, which is a network of nerves that passes from the spine,
across the shoulders to the tips of the fingers, is damaged
usually by trauma during a difficult birth
Forceps Marks
are usually temporary bruising however forceps may cause depressed
skull fractures which require surgical treatment
Bruising
on the face or head as a result of passing though the birth
canal which is usually temporary however vacuum extraction can
cause bruising and scalp laceration
Caput Succedaneum
is a severe swelling of the scalp caused by vacuum extraction
which disappears within a few days
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
which is minor bleeding in the eye may be caused as a result
of a traumatic birth and usually disappears within ten days
Facial Paralysis
often caused by the use of forceps during childbirth which may
temporarily or permanently damage facial nerves which may ned
surgical repair
Cephalohematoma
is bleeding between a bone and its fibrous covering on the baby's
head and usually resolves without intervention
Fractures
sometimes occur most often to the collar bone as a result of
shoulder dystosia
Specialist
birth injury attorneys will consider all of the circumstances
of the birth after detailed perusal of the medical records
and in particular will be looking for evidence of medical
errors which may support a malpractice action. There are recognized
risk factors and a failure to recognize them and act appropriately
may lead to a finding of negligence. Factors which predispose
a child to this type of injury include:
»
Failure to estimate the baby's weight before delivery
» Failure to perform a caesarean section
» Failure to diagnose and treat maternal diabetes
» Failure to inform of the risks in vaginal delivery
of a large baby
» Failure to follow established methods to manage shoulder
dystocia
» Applying unnecessary and excessive force during the
delivery
» Failure to respond to maternal bleeding
» Failure to respond to fetal distress
» Failing to observe or respond to umbilical cord entrapment
» Misuse of forceps or a vacuum extractor during delivery
What
are some examples of a doctor's negligence in birth injury
cases?
Failure
of the doctor and/or medical team to respond appropriately
in any of the following circumstances:
»
Maternal or fetal bleeding
» Maternal or fetal distress or anoxia (lack of oxygen)
» Umbilical cord entrapment or compression
» Need for cesarean section
» Vacuum extractor and forceps use
» Infections
» Anticipation of large baby and possible complications
» Maternal health complications
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