Cleveland Birth Injury Attorneys Hold Medical Professionals Accountable for Delayed C-Section Injuries
Caesarean section births are common, and so are C-section birth injuries
In the United States, approximately one-third of all births are via Caesarean section, or C-section. Some C-sections are scheduled in advance, whereas others are performed on an emergency basis. In some cases, the life of the mother or the baby is in danger, and the only solution is to deliver the baby surgically. In such emergency situations, if medical professionals fail to quickly perform a C-section, serious complications can result. A confidential settlement was awarded when a cesarean section should have been performed immediately when it was evident that the baby was in danger. The doctor continued to deliver the baby vaginally which resulted in death. At The Eisen Law Firm, our Cleveland birth injury attorneys pursue justice on behalf of mothers and babies who are injured by negligent medical professionals.
What are some of the reasons for performing a C-section?
There are a number of reasons that a C-section may be performed. They include:
- The baby is in an abnormal position: Babies who are breech, or in a feet-first position, often require C-sections to be delivered safely.
- The baby exhibits signs of distress: Changes in heart rate or oxygen levels may necessitate a C-section to reduce the baby’s distress.
- A history of C-sections: It is often difficult for a mother to deliver a baby vaginally if she has delivered via C-section in the past.
- Umbilical cord prolapse: If the baby’s umbilical cord drops through the cervix into the vagina ahead of the baby, it may be necessary to deliver the baby by Caesarean section.
- Multiples: Twins, triplets, and other multiples often must be delivered by C-section.
- Placenta problems: If the placenta becomes separated from the lining of the uterus, the baby could lose oxygen. In this situation, the baby should be delivered immediately.
- Birth defects: If a baby has certain defects, a vaginal delivery may put unnecessary stress on the baby. Therefore, doctors deliver the baby via C-section in these cases.
- Long labor: If a mother labors too long, or if her labor is not progressing, it may be necessary to perform a C-section.
There are many other reasons to deliver a baby by C-section, in addition to the ones mentioned above.
What happens when a baby is not delivered soon enough by C-section?
According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, once a doctor has decided that an emergency C-section is necessary, the procedure should be performed within 30 minutes. If not, serious complications may occur.
For example, in many cases, an emergency C-section is performed because the baby is not getting enough oxygen. Time is critical in these cases—every second that the baby does not receive oxygen increases the odds of serious brain damage or death.
Even though pertinent medical literature talks about a “30-minute rule” (from decision to incision), the standard of care is to get the baby out as quickly as possible. Waiting 30 minutes is not acceptable if the procedure can be done sooner.
How do I know if my doctor waited too long to perform a C-section?
If your baby was delivered by C-section and suffered complications, it is possible that your baby should have been delivered sooner. Has your baby experienced developmental delays? Was your baby diagnosed with any medical conditions at birth? Did your baby have to spend time in the NICU? If so, it is wise to have an experienced birth injury attorney review your child’s medical records. Birth injury attorneys know how to look at medical records to determine whether medical negligence occurred. Typically, they will review both the mother’s records and the baby’s records to determine whether the appropriate standard of care was met.
Can mothers be injured during C-sections, too?
Unfortunately, maternal injuries also occur during C-sections. Poor technique can result in unintended damage to the uterus or to nearby structures, including the bladder, ureter, or kidney. Other complications include hemorrhage, infection, and excessive scaring with inability to have additional pregnancies.
If your or your baby was injured during a C-section birth, schedule a free consultation with our firm today.
At The Eisen Law Firm, our Cleveland birth injury lawyers believe families deserve to know the truth about what happened during their child’s birth. We aggressively pursue all avenues of recovery, so you are fairly compensated for the heartache you have endured. In fact, The Eisen Law Firm has handled cases involving c-section delays and recently settled a case for a confidential amount. To schedule a free consultation with our legal team, call 216-687-0900 or contact us online.