Medical Malpractice: Failure to Perform a Timely C-Section

A Cesarean section (C-section) is a major surgery that is commonly performed to deliver a baby when natural childbirth could pose a danger to the child and/or the mother. With thousands of C-sections being performed each day in hospitals around the globe, most are completely routine with a happy mother and a healthy baby, while complications arise in other procedures that can result in injury to the mother and/or the baby.

The U.S. Center for Health Statistics reports that the Cesarean section is the most common operating room procedure in the United States. The C-section rate in 2015 was 32.0 percent of all births, and this procedure may be associated with excess health problems in women and babies, and the cost is about 50% higher for a Cesarean-section birth than for natural childbirth.

What are some major indications that a C-section might be needed?

Sometimes, when an OB-GYN knows that a mother is at risk for certain complications if she attempted a natural childbirth, a C-Section delivery will be scheduled. On other occasions, a C-section is done as an emergency procedure because labor is not progressing satisfactorily.

Here are some of the indicators that a C-section might be required:

• Pre-natal indicators that would call for a scheduled C-section might include complications such as pre-eclampsia, placental abruption and placenta previa.
• Fetal distress
• Infection in the mother
• Twins
• Breech or transverse presentation of the fetus
• Cephalopelvic disproportion (baby’s head is too large to pass through mother’s pelvis)
• Nuchal cord (umbilical cord wrapped around baby’s neck)
• Uterine rupture

Birth injuries that can occur because of failure to perform a timely C-section

If the fetus is in distress because it has been stuck in the birth canal for too long, there are several complications that can occur including:

• Shoulder dystocia
• Erb’s palsy
• Brachial plexus injuries
• Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)

Medical malpractice claims for the failure to perform a timely C-section

A delay of even just a few minutes when a Caesarian-section is indicated can increase the chances of complications or birth injury. If the mother and baby are being monitored and the fetus is in distress—whether from changes in fetal heart rate or a decrease of movement—doctors need to move quickly to deliver the child. If it can be proven that a more timely C-section could have prevented a birth injury, you may be able to take legal action against your OB-GYN for medical malpractice.

Legal support for birth injuries caused by Cesarean complications

The skilled Maryland birth injury attorneys at the law firm of Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., work with medical experts to investigate birth injury cases thoroughly and we fight to recover the maximum compensation available for our clients.

Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. is a premier personal injury law firm serving Maryland clients who have suffered a birth injury caused be a physician’s negligence. We invite you to call us at 410-730-7737 or fill out our contact form to discuss your case in a free consultation. Our Maryland birth injury lawyers fight for your right to recover compensation for your losses.