Failure to Perform a C-Section in a Timely Manner

While many babies are born vaginally every day, there are times when this is not the safest way to deliver the baby. When there are risks to the mother or baby, a c-section may be performed. There are a few common types of c-sections; planned c-sections, unscheduled c-sections, and emergency c-sections. Planned c-sections refer to c-sections that are scheduled for a specific date and time, while emergency c-sections occur within minutes of making the decision to conduct a cesarean section. Unscheduled c-sections can occur if a c-section is not planned, but is necessary. While many people have cesarean sections without any complications, complications do have the potential to arise. Some complications can arise in spite of the best efforts of a patient’s health care team, while there are other people who may experience complications due to negligence. An example of a c-section related complication is if a c-section is not conducted in a timely manner, leading to maternal or fetal injury. 

What is a C-Section (Cesarean Section)?

A c-section is a surgical procedure that is performed to deliver a baby. Incisions are made in the abdomen and uterus to deliver the baby. Cesarean sections are fairly quick procedures, usually lasting 10 minutes to remove the baby followed by another half hour of surgical closure once the baby is removed. 

Reasons for an Emergency C-Section

There are times when a mother may be in labor in an attempt to deliver her baby vaginally, but complications develop, necessitating an emergency c-section. Other times, a mother may go to a doctor’s appointment or hospital and a physician sees something very concerning, necessitating an emergency c-section. Often times, if an epidural is not already in place, general anesthesia is required as there is not enough time to place an epidural or spinal block. Examples of reasons that an emergency c-section may need to be conducted include the following:

• Maternal hemorrhage
• Maternal distress
• Fetal distress
• Prolapsed umbilical cord
• Uterine rupture 

Reasons for a Planned C-Section

There are a few reasons as to why a person may have a planned c-section. Examples of these include the following:

• Mother is delivering multiples (i.e. twins, triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets, sextuplets, etc.)
• The baby is not in a position that is unsafe for a vaginal delivery (i.e. breech or transverse)
• The mother has a history of c-sections
• The mother has a chronic health condition (i.e. heart condition), making the stress of a vaginal delivery unsafe
• Cephalopelvic disproportion – This refers to situations in which the mother’s pelvis is too small to be able to accommodate the baby for delivery, or if the baby’s head is too large to be delivered out of the birth canal
• Placental issues, such as placenta previa
• The baby is too large (macrosomia)
• The mother has an active infection, posing a potential risk to the newborn if the baby is delivered vaginally

Reasons for an Unscheduled C-Section

Unscheduled c-sections refer to c-sections that are not planned, but end up needing to occur. They are considered urgent, but not as urgent as an emergency c-section as the mother and baby aren’t in immediate danger. Examples of reasons for an unscheduled c-section include the following:

• The baby is transverse or breech, making a vaginal delivery unsafe
• Labor isn’t progressing as it should
• The mother’s contractions are insufficient for progression of labor
• Baby isn’t tolerating labor, leading to a drop in heart rate or other non-reassuring signs

Risks of a C-Section

While c-sections are sometimes necessary, they do come with certain risks, including the following:

• Infection
• Injury to the bladder or intestines
• Bleeding or hemorrhage
• Risk of requiring c-sections for future deliveries
• Uterine inflammation
• Amniotic fluid embolism
• Anesthesia reactions
• Potential for neonatal respiratory issues 
• Cuts or scrapes to the baby during the procedure

Complications if a C-Section is Not Performed in a Timely Manner

If a c-section needs to be performed for any of the above (or additional reasons), it is important that a c-section is performed in a timely manner. Emergency c-sections are performed within minutes, while unscheduled c-sections are often performed with 30-60 minutes after the decision is made to perform a c-section. Women requiring c-sections should not be allowed to try to deliver vaginally if conditions are not safe for this type of delivery. Examples of complications that may occur due to a c-section not being performed in a timely manner include the following:

• Brain damage
• Erb’s palsy
• Brachial plexus injuries
• Cerebral palsy
• Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
• Organ damage
• Death of the mother or infant

Delay in Performing a C-Section Resulting in Complications Due to Medical Malpractice

As mentioned above, a delay in performing a necessary c-section can have major consequences. It is a physician’s responsibility to perform a c-section in a timely manner to avoid harm of the mother or baby. If a physician fails to do so and injury occurs, it is considered medical malpractice. Examples of medical malpractice related to a delay in performing a c-section include the following:

• Brain injuries or other birth injuries that occur as a result of not performing a c-section in a timely manner
• Missing non-reassuring signs on fetal heart rate monitor or failing to respond to those signs
• Infection as the result of failure to use sterile technique
• Death due to a delay in performing a c-section
• Allowing a mother to labor too long when labor is prolonged or arrested, leading to injury
• Allowing a mother to attempt a vaginal birth when the risks are too great
• Determination of needing a c-section, but taking far too long to conduct the procedure

These are just a few of the many examples of medical malpractice relating to a delay in performing a c-section. 

Delays in Performing a C-Section Could be Due to Medical Malpractice in Oregon

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.