Oxygen Deprivation Leading to Birth Injuries

While the birth of a child is often a time filled with joy and excitement, there are times when the birth is overshadowed by a complication occurring. Children are born every day healthy and without any complications, but sometimes parents are faced with unimaginable circumstances that change the course of their lives forever. One example of this is oxygen deprivation. Oxygen deprivation can cause serious birth injuries, and may be caused by a variety of factors. While oxygen deprivation is not always the result of medical malpractice, it is often the case. When oxygen deprivation occurs and leads to a birth injury, it is considered medical malpractice.

 

Oxygen Deprivation Explained

 

There are two types of oxygen deprivation, hypoxia and anoxia. Hypoxia refers to a lack of oxygen reaching the brain, while anoxia refers to a complete absence of oxygen to the brain. Anoxic brain injuries are the most severe due to the complete absence in oxygen. When the brain does not receive any oxygen, or an insufficient amount of oxygen, it can cause severe brain damage due to cell death in the brain. 

 

This is often irreversible, but if caught early, in some instances cooling therapy may be appropriate and may help to prevent further brain damage from occurring. Sadly, oxygen deprivation can cause a slew of birth injuries, and once the damage has occurred, generally speaking it is irreversible. 

 

Birth Injuries Due to Oxygen Deprivation

 

There are many different birth injuries that can occur due to oxygen deprivation. Sadly, birth injuries due to oxygen deprivation are often catastrophic. Examples of birth injuries due to oxygen deprivation include the following:

 

• Cerebral Palsy
• Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
• Brain damage
• Seizures
• Hearing impairments 
• Vision impairments
• Developmental delays
• Behavioral problems

 

These are just a few of the many birth injuries that are related to oxygen deprivation. 

 

Causes of Oxygen Deprivation During Labor and Delivery 

 

There are many different causes of oxygen deprivation shortly before or during labor and delivery that can lead to birth injuries. These include the following:

 

• Preeclampsia
• Gestational diabetes
• Shoulder dystocia
• Fetal presentation that is abnormal
• Cephalopelvic disproportion
• Forceps injuries
• Vacuum extractor injuries
• Trauma during delivery
• Low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios)
• Placental abruption
• Prolonged labor
• Arrested labor
• Uterine rupture 
• Uterine tachysystole
• Problems with the umbilical cord
• Hypertension
• Hypotension
• Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)

 

These are just a few of the many complications that can occur shortly before or during labor and delivery that can lead to birth injuries. While some of these complications are not able to be prevented, some are entirely preventable. 

 

Medical Malpractice Surrounding Oxygen Deprivation at Birth

 

There are many ways in which medical malpractice can cause your child’s birth injury as the result of oxygen deprivation. Examples of these include the following:

 

• Failure to recognize fetal distress
• Opting for a vaginal birth when a c-section is indicated
• Failing to intervene when there is fetal distress
• Failing to intervene in the setting of prolonged or arrested labor
• Improper use of vacuum extractor or forceps
• Failing to identify a complication leading to a birth injury
• Failure to properly treat pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, or any other complications 
• Failing to initiate care after a birth injury has been identified (i.e. cooling therapy

Ask Us For Help if a Loved One is a Victim of Medical Malpractice Due to Oxygen Deprivation Leading to Birth Injuries

 

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.