Injuries During Childbirth: A New Parent’s Worse Nightmare

An expectant new parent is not considering the possibility that their own obstetrician could cause their baby irreparable harm.

Yes, there can be unforeseen complications during labor and delivery, but the most severe birth injuries are the direct result of negligence. Depriving an unborn child of oxygen during labor can cause an array of injuries ranging from mild to life threatening. If your baby was injured during childbirth you should speak with a Missouri medical malpractice attorney. There is a high probability that your child will need ongoing care, and it is your responsibility as a parent to make sure that it can be provided.

Unaware That Negligence Occurred

There is a good chance that you are unaware that negligence even occurred during the labor or delivery of your baby. This is a confusing time where the mother is in pain while the father’s attention is on her and their unborn child. By the time you realize that there is something wrong with your baby, the details surrounding his birth may already be fading. A Missouri medical malpractice attorney will do a thorough investigation of the event to determine if any medical personnel was lax in their duty to protect you and your child.

Common Birth Injuries

The most common birth injuries are caused by oxygen deprivation, and the most common cause of this is the obstetrician’s failure to promptly perform a cesarean section when the baby starts to show signs of distress. The contractions felt during labor put pressure on the baby and his umbilical cord. That pressure cuts off his oxygen supply. A fetal monitor will show if a baby is in distress during contractions.  The type of brain injury that can occur depends on the length of deprivation. Your baby may suffer from a seizure disorder, cerebral palsy or mental impairment. All of these ailments are chronic and will require a lifetime of medical care.

Fetal Monitoring

Your Missouri medical malpractice attorney will look into the circumstances surrounding the birth. They will be especially interested in the fetal monitoring, and who was responsible for reading its results. In addition they will ask for a clear explanation as to why surgical intervention was not used sooner. If they find that there was a lack of communication or a failure to properly interpret the fetal monitor they will base your case on that. A situation like this one was recently resolved with a $200,000 settlement by a Missouri obstetrician. His failure to expedite delivery with a c-section had caused a seizure disorder for the newborn.

The Best Care for Your Newborn

Birth injury cases are tragic. A new life has been altered before it has even begun. Your baby deserves to have the best care you can offer him and the most just way to do that is with compensation from the negligent physician. If you are questioning the injury sustained by your newborn, contact Zevan and Davidson Law Firm at (314) 588-7200 to investigate for you and help you receive the compensation you and your family deserve.