Birth Injuries Due to Cephalopelvic Disproportion

The birth of a baby is a joyous moment that parents look forward to. They don’t envision that they will encounter a complication during the delivery that could endanger the life of the mother and baby. However, all too often complications do occur, and while not all complications are preventable, some complications are. One example of a potentially preventable complication is cephalopelvic disproportion. When the mother or baby suffers harm due to a medically preventable error, it is considered to be negligence.

 

What is Cephalopelvic Disproportion

 

Cephalopelvic disproportion refers to an incompatible size of the mother’s pelvis and the baby’s head. If the mother’s pelvis is abnormally small, or the baby’s head is abnormally large (or too large for the mother’s pelvis), the baby will not be able to pass through the birth canal. 

 

Causes of and Risk Factors for Cephalopelvic Disproportion

 

Cephalopelvic disproportion can occur for a variety of reasons. One reason is that the mother could have an abnormally shaped pelvis, or an abnormally small pelvis. If a baby is considered to have fetal macrosomia (a baby weighing over 8lbs, 130z), this can cause great risk for cephalopelvic disproportion birth injuries. Other risk factors for the condition include the following:

 

• Obese parents
• Mother with gestational diabetes or another type of diabetes
• Giving birth to a male baby
• Babies who are delivered past their due date
• Excess amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)
• Prior history of other births
• Prior history of cephalopelvic disproportion

 

Diagnosis of Cephalopelvic Disproportion

 

Cephalopelvic disproportion can sometimes be detected ahead of time if a doctor can determine that a mother has an abnormally small or abnormally shaped pelvis, or if the baby is going to likely be too large to be vaginally delivered. Physicians can use ultrasound and radiologic pelvimetry to aid in determining the risk of cephalopelvic disproportion, but imaging is not always effective in identifying every case of cephalopelvic disproportion.

 

Treatment of Cephalopelvic Disproportion 

 

If it determined that cephalopelvic disporportion is occurring during the birth and complete obstruction is observed, an emergency c-section needs to be performed to avoid serious birth injuries.

 

Complications of Cephalopelvic Disproportion

 

Complications of cephalopelvic disproportion include the following:

 

• Cerebral palsy
• Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
• Brain damage
• Brachial plexus injuries
• Erb’s palsy
• Learning disabilities

 

Cephalopelvic Disproportion Medical Malpractice

 

While not all cases of cephalopelvic disproportion can be detected before birth, it is vital for a physician to consider the possibility and properly investigate this before labor and delivery to avoid potential complications. Additionally, how a physician reacts in the event of a blockage due to cephalopelvic disproportion is vital. If a physician improperly handles cephalopelvic disproportion during the delivery, it can lead to serious birth injuries as mentioned above. If birth injuries occur as a result of cephalopelvic disproportion, this is often considered to be medical malpractice. Simply put, any deviation from the standard of care that results in harm is considered to be medical malpractice. 

 

Oregon Medical Malpractice Causing Cephalopelvic Disproportion 

 

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.