Delayed C-Section from Medical Malpractice

Birth injuries can be caused by even the tiniest of errors during labor and delivery. Even though medical practitioners are taught to recognize when an urgent C-section is necessary, catastrophic repercussions may result if a practitioner fails to respond quickly enough in an emergency.

It puts the fetus at danger of requiring emergency forceps (or vacuum extraction), putting both the baby and mother at risk of complications. These acts may be considered medical malpractice, resulting in harsh professional penalties and litigation.

An emergency C-section is performed when the mother’s or the baby’s health is in jeopardy. It’s up to a doctor to decide when and how to complete it.

In What Circumstances Is It Considered Medical Malpractice If a C-Section Is Delayed?

Many delivery difficulties demand an emergency C-section, and a skilled and experienced doctor will be able to tell whether a woman requires one. A doctor’s negligence may prevent a mother from having a C-section in a timely way for several reasons:

●     A doctor fails to notice fetal or maternal distress indicators or other issues because he does not watch the baby and the mother.

●     A doctor may recognize fetal or mother discomfort indicators in some instances yet mistakenly attribute the problem to something else. So, the physician doesn’t think an emergency C-section is essential.

●     While the doctor is aware of a problem, different ways of inducing labor are tried. If a C-section is eventually necessary, these steps might postpone it.

●     A C-section cannot be performed because there is no place or room in the facility for it.

Many delays may be traced back to a mistake committed by hospital management, physician, or other medical experts who did not offer the proper treatment. These delays can be considered medical malpractice.

Avoiding Medical Malpractice of Delaying to Order a C-Section

A C-section birth is commonly arranged before the delivery date, either because of a health reason or because the woman prefers it to vaginal delivery. When deciding whether to have a Caesarean section, doctors often weigh the risks and benefits of the care. The doctor must order or perform this procedure in some instances.

These instances include a previous Caesarean section, a disease that might be transmitted to the child during natural childbirth, or any chronic maternal health problem that could potentially be harmful to the mother or baby during natural labor.

 C- section is a standard solution for women who discover they are pregnant with a baby in the breech position (mainly toward the end of their pregnancy). The procedure may be necessary for the child’s well-being if an intrauterine defect or a condition such as excess fluid is surrounding the brain (hydrocephalus). Any other severe congenital issue is also a reason to perform a C-Section. As a result, the C-section is scheduled several weeks before the expected due date.

What Are the Impacts of Delaying a Cesarean Section?

An untimely C-section may cause substantial injury to both the mother and the baby, including:

Physical Injuries

For both baby and mother, prolonged labor may result in lasting physical problems that a doctor might have avoided if they had performed a timely C-section. For example, it is possible to have Erb’s palsy if doctors wait till the fetus’s limbs are physically trapped before ordering a C-section. This circumstance may cause brachial plexus nerve injury (inability for arms to function).

Problems for the mother

If a fetus is not evacuated fast, some women may face a spike in blood pressure and even a stroke.

Deprivation of Oxygen

A variety of brain injuries may be caused by oxygen deprivation just before, throughout, or soon after delivery in the event of HIE (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy). There are several physical and mental manifestations of this, including behavioral issues, delays in maturation, and cerebral palsy. Some studies have connected autism and ADHD to HIE.

Death

A newborn or mother might die if there is any delay in responding to a life-threatening situation.

If Your Newborn Was Injured During Birth Due to a Delayed C-Section, Call a Birth Injury Lawyer for Help

A sizeable labor and delivery team often work together to keep the mother and child safe during labor and delivery. When things go wrong during delivery, every second counts, the lives of both the mother and her baby might be in jeopardy if the hospital child delivery team isn’t fast to respond to signs of distress in the newborn.

 The inability of a team to monitor the mother and fetus properly is typical negligent behavior that often results in a delayed C-section. Additionally, it may occur when inadequate facilities or circumstances prevent the operation from being finished on schedule. Other factors contributing to C-section delays include a shortage of competent employees or care providers responding to the situation or a simple miscalculation. Injuries here can mean a lifetime of disability and issues for victims and their families. If your newborn was injured during a delayed c-section, please contact one of our experienced Birth Injury attorneys here at Medical Malpractice Universe.