These three examples of birth injuries are probably the most devastating.
One of the worst things that could happen to an expecting mother is for harm to come to her or her baby during childbirth. A birth injury is truly one of the most costly forms of medical malpractice because an injured baby could easily be impacted for the rest of their lives. There are several different types of birth injuries, but these three examples are probably the most devastating.
Extraction Errors
There are a few different methods that a doctor can use to deliver a baby, and each one has a unique risk. For natural birth, a vacuum or forceps extraction could put unnecessary pressure and stress on the baby, which can cause injury. On the other hand, a C-section delivery might be safer, but it comes with its own risks. Surgically removing an infant means that there is the danger of fetal lacerations, which can cause a variety of injuries from fractures to brain damage.
Umbilical Cord Damage
The umbilical cord is an essential part of the health of an unborn child because it is a direct connection to the mother. During birth, there are many ways that this literal lifeline could become a risk factor. If the doctor manages to twist or prematurely sever the umbilical cord, then this could be an enormous physical shock to the infant that’s potentially fatal. By contrast, an infant can also become entangled in the umbilical cord during birth, and the doctor should act carefully to free them while preventing additional injury.
Failure to Diagnose
Even after successful delivery, a newborn child could be at risk of birth injuries. It is up to the doctor to closely monitor the baby’s condition and look for signs of a problem. There are some conditions that, if overlooked, can be fatal to an infant. In particular, Kernicterus, which is untreated jaundice and commonly-misdiagnosed Bacterial Meningitis, can quickly lead to brain damage and wrongful death. Because both of these conditions are highly treatable if diagnosed in time, a doctor who fails to do so is negligent.
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