There are no words that can adequately describe the grief experienced by parents who discover their newborn baby was injured during the birthing process. They eagerly anticipated the birth of their new baby, which was normal at all stages of development, with no expectations of anything other than giving birth to a normal child. Then, something goes wrong during labor and delivery or shortly thereafter, which results in an injury to the infant.
Approximately eight out of every 1,000 babies who develop normally throughout the mother’s pregnancy and are expected to be live, active, and fully functioning at birth are injured through the negligence of health care practitioners who are involved in the birthing process. Some injuries, such as abrasions, scratches, or even a broken bone, may be minor. Others are life-changing and so serious that neither the child nor the parents will fully recover.
Most Common Preventable Causes of Birth Injuries
Nearly 100 percent of all birth injuries are due to medical malpractice. Health care practitioners, including nurses, doctors, and other professionals involved in the birthing process, made some errors. The birthing process is labor, delivery, and a short time following delivery. Some of the most common causes are:
- Labor that lasts more than 18 hours. This puts constant pressure on the baby’s brain and may result in fetal distress and deprivation of oxygen. If these conditions go unrecognized, and the baby is allowed to continue in distress, irreversible brain damage to the infant may occur.
- Fetal deprivation of oxygen during labor and delivery. The baby’s vital signs must be closely monitored during labor and delivery, so that any sign of fetal distress is recognized, and that measures are taken to ensure the baby receives enough oxygen.
- The umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck, and appropriate measures are not taken to remedy the situation and prevent lifelong injury due to oxygen deprivation.
- Improper administration of medications can cause fetal distress.
- There is a delay in performing a Cesarean section when it is determined that the baby is in distress.
- Blunt force trauma to the baby’s head during delivery due to the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor.
- The baby inhaled Meconium during delivery, and the health care practitioner failed to notice this.
- A baby who inhaled Meconium was not properly suctioned.
Resulting Injuries and Lifelong Debilitation
A baby who is subjected to any of these events during labor and delivery or shortly after delivery may suffer injuries that range from minor to severe. Babies may have broken bones, most commonly legs, arms, or the collarbone, that may easily be repaired. They may also suffer from nerve damage resulting in conditions such as Brachial plexus, Erb’s palsy, or other forms of paralysis. Some of these are treatable; the child may recover and live a normal life. Others require lifelong care and treatment.
When fetuses suffer from oxygen deprivation, even if the deprivation was for a short amount of time, they may be debilitated for life, having lost their ability to develop normally physically or mentally. Some are so severely injured that they do not survive more than a few hours if they even survive for that long.
Symptoms of Traumatic Birth Injuries
Some injuries, like abrasions, bruises, and broken bones, may be noticeable immediately. Brain injuries are often not immediately apparent, and there are signs you should watch for and seek immediate medical attention if you note any of the following:
- Your baby is continuously fussy and almost impossible to console. The crying is high-pitched and sometimes accompanied by a fever. The baby also refuses nourishment.
- Your baby has difficulty focusing his or her eyes on anyone or any object.
- Your baby is developmentally delayed. For example, babies do not crawl when they are expected to. Some developmental delays are not apparent until the child begins school.
Why You Should Contact a Chicago Birth Injury Attorney
If your baby suffers from birth injuries due to a healthcare practitioner’s negligence, you and your child deserve compensation for your injuries, including compensation for all medical expenses related to the injuries, loss of the child’s future earning capacity, as well as your pain and suffering as the parents.
Contact a Chicago birth injury attorney at the Blumenshine Law Group by calling (312) 766-1000 or emailing [email protected] to schedule a free consultation. We will review all the circumstances of your case and determine the best way to proceed. If we work together, we will take all appropriate legal action to obtain for you all the compensation to which you are legally entitled.