Birth Injuries

Unfortunately, birth injuries are not uncommon. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect.

Of course, not all birth defects are preventable. Some birth defects, however, can be avoided with proper medical care and treatment either prior to or during labor and delivery.

Doctors, hospitals, and nurses have a duty to provide reasonable prenatal, neonatal, and postnatal care and treatment to a fetus, newborn child, and the mother in accordance with accepted medical standards and techniques.

The failure to provide adequate medical care and treatment during the pregnancy or the labor and delivery process that results in a birth defect or even death of the child is medical malpractice.  The consequences of these birthing errors can be devastating, causing serious life-long injury to the infant or the mother.

Obstetricians, hospitals, and nurses should be cognizant and aware of the common labor and delivery complications and work to recognize and avoid these life-threatening situations.

Some of the more common labor and delivery complications include:

• Preterm Labor and Premature Delivery
• Prolonged Labor (Failure to Progress)
• Abnormal Presentation
• Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)
• Umbilical Cord Prolapse
• Umbilical Cord Compression
• Amniotic Fluid Embolism
• Preeclampsia
• Uterine Bleeding (Postpartum Hemorrhage)
• Post-Term Pregnancy and Post-Maturity

There are times when medical practitioners fail to recognize these complications, or, if they do, fail to take the appropriate remedial measures to mitigate against serious damage to the infant or the mother.

Labor and delivery mistakes can result in serious injuries to the child or mother, including:

• Perinatal Hopixic Brain Injury
• Hydrocephalus
• Cerebral Palsy
• Brachial palsy
• Erb’s palsy
• Fractures
• Uterine rupture