Ways That an Injury From a Delay in Performing a C-Section is Due to Medical Malpractice
The birth of a child is a joyous moment. The two ways a mother can give birth is vaginally and via c-section. A c-section is typically performed due to a medical reason. While most births occur uneventfully, what happens if a mother requires a c-section but the physician delays performing the c-section? This happens all too often, resulting in harm to the mother or baby. When a c-section is delayed and the mother or baby suffer harm as a result, it is considered medical malpractice. This is why if you or your loved one was injured due to a delay in performing a c-section, you should contact our experienced attorneys who can review your case to determine if medical malpractice caused you or your loved one’s injuries.
What is Involved in Performing a C-Section?
A c-section, also referred to as a cesarean section is a surgical procedure performed to deliver the baby. Mothers are given an anesthetic (usually a spinal) to ensure that they do not feel anything. If it is an emergency and a mother has not received an epidural, anesthesiologists will use general anesthesia. It involves making an incision in the abdomen and uterus to remove the baby. Once the baby is removed, the mother is stitched back up. While a routine procedure, it is also considered major surgery and requires several weeks of recovery time.
What are the Risks of a C-Section?
There are risks for both mother and baby when performing a c-section. Risks for the mother include the following:
- Hemorrhage (bleeding)
- Infection
- A blood clot
- Embolism
- Bladder or bowel injury
- Complications from anesthesia
- Risk for uterine rupture if a mother decides to do a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)
- Issues with the placenta in future pregnancies
- Nerve damage
- Death
- Amniotic fluid embolism
- Uterine inflammation
Risks for the baby include the following:
- Erb’s palsy
- Respiratory distress
- Death
- Transient tachypnea
- Surgical injury
- Brain damage
- Cerebral palsy
- Klumpke’s palsy
- Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- Spinal trauma
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Death
When is a C-Section Indicated?
There are many reasons as to why a mother may require a c-section. Common circumstances include the following:
- Little to no adequate cervical dilation after different modalities are used for cervical dilation
- Fetal distress (i.e abnormal heart rate, non-reassuring electronic fetal monitoring patterns)
- Placental detachment from the uterus
- Uterine rupture
- Certain infections
- Certain cases of placenta previa
- Nuchal cord
- Prolapsed cord
- Breech or transverse position of the baby
- Maternal distress (i.e. non-reassuring heart rate, oxygen, etc.)
Why Would a Delay in Performing a C-Section Occur?
There are many unfortunate instances in which a c-section may be delayed. If a doctor or nurse do not realize that the baby is in distress (i.e. variable decelerations, abnormal heart rate, etc.), they may not choose to do a c-section as they do not believe the baby is in distress. If a doctor believes that a vaginal birth may be difficult but doable, he or she may persist and continue attempting a vaginal birth when in fact a cesarean is what is indicated. If there is not an appropriate amount of staff present (i.e. anesthesiologist), they may delay beginning a c-section. Additionally, a doctor may be negligent and even in a case where they are aware that a c-section is the safest option, they may choose to continue with a vaginal birth. Mistakes such as these can have serious consequences for both mother and baby.
How Can Injuries From a Delay in Performing a C-Section Be Due to Medical Malpractice
A delay in performing a necessary c-section is almost always due to medical malpractice. It is a doctor’s duty to provide patients with the standard of care, which includes intervening during a vaginal birth if necessary. If you or your child suffered an injury due to a delay in performing a c-section, you should contact an experienced birth injury lawyer today who can help you by determining what damages you and your child may be eligible for. Especially in the case of the newborn, injuries a newborn may face at birth due to a delay in c-section may have lifelong consequences that may require special care, including costly medical bills. You should never have to pay for the mistakes made by a physician or other healthcare provider that could have been prevented. Common damages that may entitle you or your loved one to compensation include the following:
- Rehabilitative care
- Medical bills
- Lost wages (present and future)
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Home care
- Funeral and burial expenses
Injured from a Delay in Performing a C-Section? Call Our Birth Injury Lawyer Today
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.