Birth injuries are a devastating experience for families, often leading to lifelong physical and emotional consequences. These injuries can affect both the baby and the mother, and many are preventable if proper care is provided during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. While some birth injuries are the result of unavoidable circumstances, others are caused by medical negligence or errors.

In Pennsylvania, as elsewhere, birth injuries can occur for a variety of reasons. It’s important for parents to understand the potential causes, as this knowledge can help them identify if medical negligence played a role in their child’s injury. In this post, we will discuss the most common causes of birth injuries and how medical professionals can sometimes be held responsible for them.

Lack of Proper Monitoring During Labor and Delivery

One of the most frequent causes of birth injuries is a failure to properly monitor the baby and mother during labor and delivery. Throughout labor, medical staff should closely monitor the baby’s heart rate, the mother’s vital signs, and other factors to ensure that everything is proceeding smoothly. When complications arise, quick action is necessary to prevent harm.

Common issues caused by inadequate monitoring include:

• Oxygen deprivation (Hypoxia): When the baby’s oxygen supply is compromised, it can lead to brain damage, which may result in conditions like cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and learning disabilities.
• Shoulder dystocia: This occurs when the baby’s shoulders become stuck during delivery, which can lead to nerve damage, fractures, and even brain injury if not properly managed.

If healthcare providers fail to recognize signs of distress or delay in responding to complications, serious birth injuries can occur.

Prolonged Labor or Delayed Delivery

Prolonged labor can lead to a range of complications. It occurs when labor lasts longer than expected, often leading to fatigue in the mother and increased stress on the baby. In some cases, medical staff may fail to intervene when labor progresses too slowly, potentially allowing complications to worsen.

A prolonged labor can increase the risk of:

• Infection: Both the mother and the baby are at higher risk of infection if labor is prolonged. Infections like sepsis can have serious consequences for both.
• Fetal distress: When labor drags on, the baby may suffer from decreased oxygen levels, leading to further complications like brain injury or even stillbirth.
• Maternal exhaustion: Extended labor can lead to maternal exhaustion, which can impair the ability to push effectively, leading to a higher risk of requiring interventions like forceps or a cesarean section.

Medical staff should carefully monitor and manage prolonged labor to minimize these risks.

Use of Forceps or Vacuum Extraction

In some cases, when labor is difficult or prolonged, doctors may use instruments such as forceps or a vacuum extractor to assist in the delivery. While these tools can be helpful in delivering a baby more quickly, improper use can lead to significant injuries.

Injuries caused by these instruments may include:

• Nerve damage: Forceps can apply pressure to the baby’s head and neck, resulting in brachial plexus injuries, which affect the nerves controlling the arms and hands.
• Head trauma: Vacuum extraction can cause bruising, swelling, or even skull fractures if not performed correctly.
• Facial injuries: Forceps can sometimes cause bruising or cuts to the baby’s face, which can lead to permanent scarring.

These injuries are more common when the healthcare provider is inexperienced or does not follow proper procedures during the use of these instruments.

Failure to Perform a Timely Cesarean Section

In some situations, a cesarean section (C-section) may be necessary to prevent complications during delivery. If doctors fail to recognize the signs that a C-section is needed, it can result in birth injuries. Some of the issues that can arise from delayed C-sections include:

• Oxygen deprivation: If a C-section is delayed in cases of fetal distress, the baby may suffer from a lack of oxygen, which can lead to brain damage.
• Cord prolapse: A prolapsed umbilical cord can restrict the blood flow to the baby, leading to brain injury or stillbirth if not promptly treated.
• Injury to the baby: A prolonged vaginal delivery in cases of a breech presentation can result in fractures or nerve damage to the baby, which might be avoided with a timely C-section.

C-sections should be performed when necessary to protect the health of both mother and baby, and any delay can result in serious injury.

Inadequate Prenatal Care

Prenatal care plays a vital role in preventing birth injuries by identifying and addressing potential complications before labor begins. If a healthcare provider fails to properly monitor the pregnancy or neglects to identify risks, such as maternal health problems or fetal abnormalities, it can lead to serious birth injuries.

Some common prenatal issues that can increase the risk of birth injuries include:

• Gestational diabetes: When left untreated, gestational diabetes can lead to a large baby, increasing the risk of birth injuries during delivery.
• Preeclampsia: Preeclampsia, if not managed properly, can lead to premature delivery and increase the risk of injury to the baby and mother.
• Infections: Conditions like Group B Strep infections can be passed to the baby during delivery, resulting in infections that can cause long-term harm if not properly treated.

Doctors must identify these risks early and provide the necessary care to reduce the chance of complications during labor.

Medication Errors

Errors in the administration of medication during pregnancy or labor can contribute to birth injuries. Medications that are incorrectly dosed or that cause adverse reactions can have serious consequences for both mother and baby. Common medication-related birth injuries include:

• Fetal drug toxicity: Certain medications, such as painkillers or anesthetics, can cause harm to the baby if not properly administered.
• Premature labor: Medication errors can inadvertently induce premature labor, putting the baby at risk for developmental delays and other long-term health issues.

Careful monitoring and proper medication administration are critical to preventing these types of birth injuries.

Improper Handling During Delivery

In some cases, birth injuries occur due to physical trauma caused by improper handling during delivery. This includes situations where the healthcare provider pulls too hard or improperly positions the baby during a difficult birth. Improper handling can cause a range of injuries, including:

• Fractures: The baby’s bones may be fractured during a difficult birth, especially the collarbone or clavicle.
• Nerve damage: The baby’s brachial plexus nerves may be damaged if excessive force is used during delivery, leading to lifelong impairment of the arm and shoulder.

Proper handling and techniques during delivery are essential to minimizing the risk of these injuries.

Conclusion

While some birth injuries are unavoidable, many are caused by medical negligence or improper care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. If you suspect that your child has suffered a birth injury due to the negligence of a healthcare provider, it is important to seek legal counsel to understand your options and protect your rights.

At Kingbird Legal, our experienced team of attorneys is dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of birth injury claims. If you believe that medical malpractice played a role in your child’s injury, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Let us help you seek the justice and compensation your family deserves.