If you are rushing to the hospital expecting to have a baby, the last thing you are expecting is that your child will suffer a birth injury from medical negligence. Becoming a parent is already an overwhelming experience. If you determine that your child suffered any kind of birth injury as a result of the negligence of the healthcare staff during your labor induction, you may have the right to file a medical malpractice claim. Learn more about your legal rights regarding birth injuries caused by labor induction below.
Making the Decision to Induce Labor
There are certain circumstances and conditions that the medical community agrees should make a doctor or physician start the birth process through labor induction. Some of those circumstances include the following:
- The baby’s fetal growth stopped
- The mother feels no contractions after her water broke
- The mother is now two or more weeks past the original due date
- The mother or the baby develops any kind of infection
- Placenta complications develop
- The mother receives a diagnosis of preeclampsia, eclampsia or HELPPA syndrome
- The mother has low amniotic fluid
- Other health challenges develop with either the mother or child.
Understanding the Bishop Score
The Bishop Score helps medical professionals make the determination regarding whether or not a mother should receive a labor induction. There are several different factors that affect this score. Additionally, there are other circumstances in which the Bishop Score does not technically require a labor induction, but the mother has previously had a history of dangerous or complicated births that would lead a medical professional to consider labor induction.
Types of Injuries Suffered From Incorrect Labor Induction
Incorrect or inappropriate labor induction can result in harm to both the mother and the child. Some of the common types of injuries suffered by a mother or child as a result of incorrect labor induction include the following:
- Rupture of the uterus
- Fetal oxygen or heart rate changes
- Umbilical cord complications
- Additional complications of pre-existing medical conditions of the mother
- Premature birth (medical complications involved with premature birth)
- Amniotic fluid embolism
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- The necessity for a Cesarean section (C-section)
- Cerebral Palsy or Erb’s Palsy
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Stroke
- Death
Unfortunately, birth injuries do not resolve immediately after the birthing process. Some medical complications related to a birth injury are life-long and permanent. In some cases, they may completely alter the trajectory and life of the child. Permanent injuries will require ongoing medical treatments or surgeries and change the physical or cognitive abilities of victims for the rest of their lives.
Contact an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney
If your baby suffered any kind of birth injury as a result of medical negligence related to labor induction, contact our experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Griggs Injury Law at (816) 474-0202. Learn more about your legal rights and how to pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
