Cesarean Section Errors and Delays Can Lead to Birth Injuries

Cesarean Section Errors and Delays Can Lead to Birth InjuriesThousands of babies are born naturally every day without incident making their proud parents very happy. There are, however, certain circumstances under which a fetus is experiencing distress within the mother’s womb and needs to be delivered surgically as soon as possible. A Cesarean section (C-section) is the surgical procedure that is performed to deliver a baby quickly. While many C-sections are performed every day in hospitals around the world, they are still considered to be a major surgical procedure. Cesarean section errors can lead to birth injuries, as well as inflect trauma on the mother.

What are the risks involved in a C-section?

Performing a C-section involves the doctor making an incision through the abdominal wall and the uterine wall in order to deliver the baby. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 2,699,951 vaginal deliveries and 1,284,551 Cesarean deliveries in 2014, which makes Cesarean deliveries 32.2 percent.

Some of the risks involved in a C-section include similar risks involved in any kind of abdominal surgery:

  • Infection
  • Hemorrhage or increased blood loss
  • Injury to organs
  • Adhesions
  • Extended hospital stay
  • Extended recovery time
  • Adverse reactions to medication
  • Risk of the need for additional surgeries
  • Increased maternal mortality
  • Negative emotional reaction to the birthing experience

A Cesarean section also has risks of complications for the baby which include:

  • Premature birth
  • Breathing problems
  • Low APGAR scores
  • Fetal injury

(American Pregnancy.org)

Medical malpractice with regard to Cesarean sections

A medical malpractice claim usually arises out of either the doctor’s failure to perform a C-section in a timely manner, or in cases when the procedure was performed in a manner that deviated from the accepted standard of practice. There are many instances when an emergency C-section might be called for, in which case, they almost always need to be carried out right away to avoid causing further risk to the fetus and the mother. Some of the reasons for an emergency C-section include:

  • Labor goes on for too long
  • Either baby or mother is showing signs of distress
  • The baby might be too big to deliver vaginally
  • Problems with the umbilical cord
  • Placenta previa
  • Umbilical cord prolapse

If your doctor failed to perform a C-section in time, performed the surgery but caused complications that resulted in injury to you or your baby, or performed a C-section that was not medically necessary that caused injuries, you may have grounds to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You can speak to an experienced medical malpractice attorney from the law firm of Bailey & Greer, PLLC to discuss your legal options when you or your baby have suffered an injury due to medical negligence. Medical malpractice attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay legal fees up front, rather you pay them only when your attorney has won compensation for you.

Have you suffered an injury due to medical negligence? If so, you are welcome to speak to an experienced Memphis birth injury attorney at the law offices of Bailey & Greer, PLLC who will answer your questions and offer legal guidance. Please contact us or call us at 901-680-9777 to schedule a consultation at our Memphis or Jackson office to discuss your case.