When a woman goes into labor, she usually expects to have a relatively uneventful delivery – and most do. Unfortunately, some births don’t go as planned, and the mother, the baby or both can end up with debilitating injuries.
Proper monitoring of the mother and baby is critical during labor and delivery. While not every birth injury is the result of medical negligence, improper monitoring or slow response times to problems can be signs of negligence and medical malpractice.
Birth injuries vary greatly
Birth injuries vary greatly from minor bruising or swelling to serious harm that can affect the baby for life. Some newborns suffer from fractures, nerve injuries or trauma related to a difficult delivery. Other injuries are related to a lack of oxygen during labor or delivery. Complications like uterine ruptures, seizures and strokes can affect the mother, as well.
Some birth injuries are noticed immediately, but the effects may still be significant. Parents may not understand the severity of a child’s injuries until the child starts growing and maturing, particularly with conditions like cerebral palsy.
When medical teams miss warning signs
There are several signs that doctors and nurses should watch for when they’re monitoring a woman and baby during labor and delivery. Signs they’re looking for include changes to the fetal heart rate, prolonged labor, abnormal positioning of the baby, problems with the umbilical cord or other delivery complications. Delayed responses can increase the risk of harm to both patients, so proper monitoring and prompt action are critical.
Medical teams can’t stop monitoring after the birth, either. They should be on the lookout for signs like breathing problems, seizures, weak muscle tone, limited arm movements, feeding issues and unusual alertness. All of those can point to a medical issue that requires immediate attention.
When birth injuries occur, the parents may opt to pursue a legal claim. Outlining the difference between medical negligence and an unavoidable complication often depends on the medical records. Having access to delivery notes, fetal monitoring strips, evaluations and follow-up records can be beneficial. Because these cases are so complex, legal guidance is necessary to evaluate claims, secure documentation and pursue appropriate compensation.