Record-Breaking Birth Injury Attorneys In Chicago
A cesarean section (C-section) is a common surgical procedure used during childbirth. During the surgery, doctors make an incision into the mother’s abdomen and uterus to help deliver the baby. Currently, C-sections make up over 30% of deliveries in the United States, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. The number is expected to rise over time.
C-sections are relatively routine procedures that can help during difficult labors. Although this procedure is common for many expectant mothers, a cesarean section is not without dangers. An incorrectly executed procedure can cause internal bleeding, infections, or organ damage. It is the hospital’s responsibility to make sure that both mother and child receive the best care possible during this procedure.
Our Chicago C-section malpractice attorneys want the best for you and your child. If you have suffered an injury during a cesarean section, contact us today for a free consultation.
Common C-Section Errors
Like all surgical procedures, doctors and physicians must take care and precautions when performing a cesarean section. The smallest mistake can have lasting ramifications. There are generally two main forms of medical malpractice in C-section errors: untimely C-sections and performing the procedure incorrectly. Both forms of mistakes can imply negligence or carelessness.
Failure To Notice Fetal Distress
A doctor must constantly check a mother and baby’s vital signs. By doing so, they can see if a fetus is in distress. Fetal distress can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Doctors should also monitor the mother for high-blood pressure, heart rate, and other signs. Failure to do so can put the patient at risk. If a woman has suffered during her C-section because vitals were not properly monitored, she could have grounds to seek restitution. The case would fall under medical malpractice.
Failure To Diagnose Need For C-Section
There are certain cases where doctors can determine the need for a cesarean section well before the actual delivery date. Pre-natal indicators such as pre-eclampsia, placenta previa, and placenta abruption make natural childbirth highly dangerous, if not impossible. Signs for these problems are relatively easy to detect and doctors should be able to plan for a C-section accordingly. However, if they do not, the baby and the mother can be at risk. By not checking for signs before labor, doctors can act negligently.
Not Performing C-Section In Time
In cases of emergency, time is of the essence. It is imperative that a doctor moves quickly if a fetus is in distress or if a mother is unwell. Performing a C-section at the right time can make the difference between life and death. Physicians who are not proactive or vigilant potentially put their patients in peril.
Botched Surgery
When making an incision into the abdomen, doctors need to be careful not to cut anything they should not. Because they work so closely near the baby, it is particularly more dangerous. If doctors perform the surgery incorrectly, they can permanently injure the mother or the baby.
Injuries Caused By C-Section Delivery Mistakes
C-section delivery errors can cause lasting harm to mother and baby. Neither parties should have to endure the pain that comes with someone else’s negligence or inattention. Cesarean procedures can be particularly dangerous because it deals with doing surgery on the mother.
Common injuries that babies can sustain include:
- Cuts and scars
- Erb’s palsy
- Oxygen deprivation
Common injuries that mothers can sustain include:
- Anesthesia injuries
- Infections
- Internal bleeding
- Blood clots
- Bladder/bowel injuries
- Hemorrhaging
Compassionate Legal Representation For Birth Injuries
At Power Rogers, we believe that mothers and babies should feel safe at a hospital. Doctors have a responsibility to provide professional and adept care to their patients. If they are negligent or careless during a C-section delivery, the mother and baby can sustain extensive injuries or death.
If you or your child has suffered harm due to cesarean section delivery errors or malpractice, contact our C-section injury lawyers in Chicago at 312-210-8411 for a free consultation.