Baby got stuck during delivery and now you have been told that your child has a brain injury? For many parents this situation can be the foundation for confusion and worry regarding their baby’s future. When parents are faced with this situation their questions can revolve around whether the action of the doctors and nurses are the cause of the injury. In other words, did medical malpractice lead to the result?
One of the purposes of this Maryland birth injury educational article is to help you understand critical areas of examination when reviewing facts like these for possible medical malpractice. As a parent, know that you are not alone in this situation.
HOW CAN A BABY GET STUCK DURING DELIVERY?
Baby got stuck during delivery? The medical condition associated with a baby getting stuck during a vaginal delivery is called shoulder dystocia. Essentially what happens is the baby gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvis. When this happens, an emergency is created in the delivery room. Due to the danger that should dystocia poses to the baby, doctors must work safe and quickly to free the baby.
In some cases, the increased chance of shoulder dystocia occurring will depend on certain risk factors. Mothers who are dealing with some of the following may have an increased risk for shoulder dystocia:
* Pregnant with multiple babies
* Previous shoulder dystocia
* Maternal obesity
* Maternal diabetes
* Late delivery
BABY GOT STUCK DURING DELIVERY AND NOW A BRAIN INJURY
Doctors must take care to closely monitor the baby’s well being during delivery. They can do this with the help of the electronic fetal heart monitor. When treatments are not helping then a move to an emergency C-section may be in order. Failure to timely move to an emergency C-section can lead to an injury with the baby.
During a shoulder dystocia complication, if doctors do not free the baby in enough time, the umbilical cord can become compressed. A compressed umbilical cord can reduce the level of blood and oxygen to the baby, leading to fetal hypoxia, or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. If doctors fail to properly diagnosis and treat shoulder dystocia, not only can a baby suffer an injury to their arm or hand, but the baby can suffer a brain injury, as explained above.
WHAT CAN CAUSE A BIRTH INJURY?
To speak with me further about your baby’s brain injury and the potential causes from a medical malpractice standpoint, this is what I invite you to do. Pick up the phone and give me call. I can be reached at 833-4 BABY HELP or 301-850-4832. I answer birth injury and Maryland medical malpractice questions like yours all the time and I will be happy to listen to your story.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
Boston Law Group, LLC
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
301-850-4832
1-833-4 BABY HELP