Birth Injuries
The term "Birth Injury" refers to an injury received by a child during the labor and delivery process. Birth injuries can occur in a large variety of circumstances, but the more common conditions include:
Prolonged or Retarded Labor, where the fetus remains in the birth canal for an extended period of time;
Shoulder Dystocia, where the fetus cannot be delivered because the shoulder is lodged under the mother's pubic bone;
Breech Delivery, where the fetus presents in an atypical position within the birth canal, such as feet first;
Abruptio Placenta, where the placenta dislodges from the wall of the uterus;
Placenta Previa, where the placenta blocks the opening to the birth canal; and
A Prolapsed Umbilical Chord, where the fetus is deprived of oxygen on account of a knotted or compressed umbilical chord.
The physician and nurse monitor the well-being of the baby by listening to and observing the pattern of the child's heartbeat on a machine called a Fetal Heart Monitor. Often, when the physician observes non-reassuring patterns on the machine, he will make the decision to deliver the fetus through an emergency C-section. The failure to do so in a timely manner can constitute medical negligence.
If you suspect that your child suffered a birth injury on account of a physician or hospital error, contact us online or call Theodoros & Rooth at
