The birth of a child should be among the happiest moments in a parent’s life. Unfortunately, there is always the possibility of your child experiencing a birth injury, which can cloud the joy you would otherwise be feeling. You might be wondering if the injury could have been avoided. While not always the case, it is far too often that the negligence of medical professionals causes or contributes to birth injuries. When this occurs, it qualifies as medical malpractice. Here are some ways that medical professionals can prevent birth injuries.
Here are some steps that medical professionals can take to mitigate the risk of birth injury.
Prenatal Care
By conducting proper prenatal care, doctors should be able to detect any fetal issues or maternal conditions that can contribute to birth injury. By the 36th week of pregnancy, doctors should be able to perform prenatal tests verifying the position of the baby in the womb. In this way, they can determine whether a breech delivery is likely to occur, which can lead to a brachial plexus injury if improperly managed. They should also be able to forecast any potential issues with the umbilical cord that may cause birth asphyxia.
Monitoring for Fetal Distress
One of the most frequently occurring indications that there may be a birth injury is if the baby exhibits signs of fetal distress. Often, fetal distress indicates that the baby is receiving insufficient oxygen flow. Monitoring their heart rate is one of the key ways to detect any issues. If a doctor observes this during labor, they may advise a cesarean section as a form of medical intervention. Fetal distress could also indicate birth asphyxia, which can have serious consequences such as cerebral palsy.
Care in the NICU
If your baby was born prematurely or suffered a birth injury, it’s likely that they will be cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU. Ideally, this is where the consequences of a birth injury can be mitigated. Unfortunately, medical professionals can make mistakes in the NICU that exasperate or cause further damage. There is always the possibility of misdiagnosis or improper treatment of the baby’s condition. Babies in the NICU are also at risk of being misidentified and treated for an injury or illness that is not their own.
Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts settlements*. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, for more information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.