Birth injuries are some of the most devastating to encounter because they involve the health of your child. You go your entire pregnancy hoping for the birth of a happy, healthy baby. You can’t imagine the long-term effects associated with a birth injury, but it can happen.
Unfortunately, many birth injuries result from the negligence of the medical professional responsible for monitoring your pregnancy and delivering your baby. To better recognize what your rights are after a birth injury, it’s essential to understand the common types of injuries that may occur and who is responsible.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is one of the most common conditions stemming from a birth injury. It is a collection of disorders that impact your child’s muscle tone and movement. Often, cerebral palsy is the result of a lack of oxygen in your baby’s brain—often because of a doctor’s failure to properly monitor.
Cerebral palsy can cause various developmental delays, including your baby’s ability to sit up, crawl, and walk. You want to look for your baby having a variation in muscle tone or stiff and exaggerated movement. These symptoms can be signs of cerebral palsy.
Shoulder Dystocia
During delivery, your baby may suffer shoulder dystocia if his or her shoulders get stuck behind your pelvic bone. If your doctor starts to pull with your baby’s shoulders lodged behind the pelvic bone, your baby may suffer severe injuries, including a clavicle fracture.
Death During Childbirth
Babies and mothers are both at risk of potential problems, but the worst-case scenario involves pregnancy-related death or maternal death. Babies who lack oxygen for an extended period can lead to death, even during pregnancy. If death occurs after the first 28 weeks of pregnancy while the baby is in the womb, this can lead to stillbirth.
Maternal mortality rates are far too high with causes including:
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Infections
- Excessive bleeding
When a doctor is negligent and causes you or your baby harm, you must recognize your legal options. Our Monroe medical malpractice attorneys can determine your potential to file a birth injury case. Trust in Parker Alexander to be there for you every step of the way.
Contact us today at (318) 625-6262.