Hypoxia Birth Injuries May be Caused by Medical Malpractice

Pregnant women go to numerous appointments throughout their pregnancy, but it’s the time during labor that is critical for the health of the baby. Conditions like brain damage from hypoxia (deprived oxygen supply) often occur as a result of improper monitoring of the fetal heart rate. There are multiple causes of hypoxia, including strangulation by the umbilical cord as well as issues during delivery when there is a narrow birth canal.

What becomes problematic is either a relatively short period of inaction or confusion over the resting pulse rate of the fetus. The latter led to severe brain damage in a case litigated by medical malpractice lawyers in New York. A woman’s period in labor spanned two shifts at a hospital, and the second group of obstetric nurses and doctors failed to note changes in the pulse rate compared to the baseline.

These are generally signs of hypoxia that can lead to cerebral palsy and other conditions because the heart is trying to distribute what little oxygen there is by increasing the amount of blood it pumps to the body. Generally speaking, the mother will need a caesarean section in order to limit potential birth injuries. If this is not done quickly after close monitoring, the consequences can be far reaching.

Unfortunately, families may not see evidence of damage from hypoxia that could be related to birth injuries from medical practice until months later. Children develop over different timelines and pediatricians unaware of any problems during delivery may not be able to make the connection.

However, families who had problems during the mother’s pregnancy may have legal options available to them. Medical malpractice lawyers are investigating potential birth injury lawsuits. If you or someone you know had a child born with injuries, learn more at the Medical Malpractice Birth Injury Lawsuit Investigation.

Birth injury lawsuits can require detailed paperwork and the benefit of expert witnesses who can testify as to what should have happened during delivery and what happened as a result of the obstetrician’s decisions. Getting a no-cost legal review will help families figure out what they can do next.