7 Common Causes of Birth Injury
Birth injuries can cause permanent damage, resulting in lifelong consequences for injured babies and their families. The attorneys of Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC provide a birth injury summary to help families understand what types of injuries can occur during the birthing process.
Sometimes these injuries are not preventable and happen without fault. Other times, they can be a result of negligence on the part of a medical professional. Understanding the causes of birth injuries is important when considering whether medical malpractice occurred. Let’s take a look at 7 common causes of birth injury affecting families in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah.
Size of the Baby
Larger babies are at greater risk of injury during the birth process. Typically, babies are considered large if they weigh more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
Cephalopelvic Disproportion
Cephalopelvic Disproportion refers to a situation where the size and shape of the mother’s pelvis is not suitable for vaginal birth.
Birth injuries can happen if the baby gets stuck or struggles during the delivery.
Difficult Labor
A difficult labor, called dystocia, can happen for many reasons, like the cervix failing to expand or the baby being stuck in an awkward position.
When labor is difficult, babies are more likely to get injured or suffer from oxygen deprivation.
Delayed Birth
Delayed birth happens when labor lasts more than 18 hours. Delayed births can compress the baby, causing fetal distress, pressure on the brain, and high blood pressure.
Abnormal Fetal Position
When babies are born, they normally move to a head first position. Some babies don’t move into a head first position and instead stay in an abnormal position at birth.
Babies born in abnormal fetal positions, such as facing forward, buttocks first, shoulders first, or brow first, are more likely to suffer an injury.
Oxygen Deprivation
Oxygen deprivation during birth can cause serious injuries to babies, including severe brain injuries and cerebral palsy.
Oxygen deprivation can be caused by such things as a prolapsed umbilical cord, delayed birth, or failure by a medical professional to intervene at the first signs of a complication.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is a preventable cause of birth injuries. When medical professionals fail to provide a basic standard of care and make careless mistakes during childbirth, they can cause serious injuries to a baby.
Misuse of delivery tools, like forceps and vacuum extraction can cause injuries to a baby. Additionally, failing to properly monitor a fetus or mother during labor and failing to take action at signs of distress can lead to fetal brain injuries, oxygen deprivation, or even death.
Seek Compensation for Birth Injuries
When birth injuries were caused by the failure of a medical professional to provide a reasonable standard of care, it’s important that they’re held accountable and families get the compensation they deserve for their child’s injuries and other damages.
A birth injury lawyer can help gather evidence to build a strong case and maximize your settlement.
Contact the Attorneys of Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC
If your child suffered a birth injury, it may be possible to recover compensation for their injuries and pain and suffering. To discuss your claim, please call the Utah attorneys of Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC at (801) 335-6467 or contact us online.
