Medical Malpractice and Failure to Perform C-section
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 32 percent of all births each year are Cesarean deliveries/C-sections. It’s a relatively common procedure, and it can be life-saving. Failing to perform a C-section could put the health of a mother and her newborn at risk. When doctors make these kinds of mistakes, they need to be held accountable.
The Salt Lake City, UT medical malpractice attorneys of Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC would like to go over the reasons that C-sections are performed and why they are so crucial to the health of mothers and their children.
Reasons to Perform a C-Section
Some of the most common reasons to perform a C-section include:
- Difficult Birth/Delivery - Hours spent in labor without any progress is generally an indication to perform a C-section. This avoids harm to the mother as well as her baby.
- Fetal Distress - Fetal distress refers to cases in which a baby’s heart rate drops during the delivery. Performing a C-section allows doctors to examine and address the issue as soon as possible.
- Uterine Rupture - During some deliveries, particularly difficult births, a woman’s uterus can be torn. A C-section should be performed as soon as this happens to avoid further injury to the mother.
- Placenta Previa - When the placenta is low in a mother’s uterus, it can wind up blocking the birth canal and preventing a baby from being born. This blockage can be bypassed by performing a C-section.
- Umbilical Cord Prolapse - If the umbilical cord leaves the birth canal before the baby, it can lead to oxygen deprivation and other dangers. The damage done by oxygen deprivation can be reduced by immediately performing a C-section.
How Long Should a C-Section Take?
On average, a C-section takes about 30 minutes to perform. That covers the initial indications that a C-section is necessary and the overall length of the procedure.
Given the amount of time required to perform a C-section, our Salt Lake City lawyers are especially critical of doctors who delay the procedure when it is clearly the best option for both the mother and her child.
Dangers to a Child Due to Delayed C-Section
When a child needs to be delivered by C-section, every second counts. Problems with oxygen deprivation and low heart rates must be addressed as soon as possible to prevent lasting brain damage and other health problems. A C-section could be a life-saving procedure for some infants, which is why delays are unacceptable.
Dangers to a Mother Due to Delayed C-Section
Injuries to a mother during childbirth can have long-term adverse health effects. Performing a C-section as soon as an injury is detected helps prevent blood loss and aggravation of any trauma a mother has already experienced. Once again, a C-section could be potentially life saving.
Speak with Trusted Medical Malpractice Lawyers
For more information about your legal options following a delayed C-section or other mistakes in the delivery room, be sure to contact a trusted medical malpractice law firm. The Salt Lake City legal team at Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC can be reached by phone at (801) 335-7025.