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What Can Happen if Your Health Care Providers Ignore or Forget Your Known Drug Allergies?

Caesarean sections have become a common way to give birth. Often, the need for a C-section arises from emergency conditions, such as fetal distress, distress on the part of the mother, improper fetal alignment for birth, large fetus size, or multiples in the womb. If the C-section is delayed, especially if it is due to distress, it can lead to permanent injury to either the baby or the mother.

Reasons for a C-Section

The reasons why a mother may need a C-section include the following:

  • Placental abruption
  • Placental insufficiency
  • Placenta blocks the cervix, known as placenta previa
  • Uterine ruptures
  • Fetal distress
  • Infant is not aligned head downward, i.e., is in breech position
  • Presence of twins, triplets,
  • No progress with natural labor
  • Blockage of infant’s blood supply
  • Infant’s shoulder is stuck behind pelvic bone
  • Infant weighs more than 9 lbs.

In many cases, a C-section can be planned in advance. However, if the conditions pose an immediate threat to the mother and the baby, one will need to be performed immediately.

Common Causes of Delay

With proper monitoring of both the mother and the baby, any conditions that may necessitate a C-section can be noted. If the doctor does not pay attention to the data or fails to notice a condition that requires a Caesarean, the procedure may be either delayed or neglected altogether.

In an emergency situation, such as during labor when it becomes apparent that the child will not survive a vaginal birth without complications, a C-section must be performed promptly. However, improper monitoring, lack of equipment, unavailability of an operating room, or understaffing can all result in a delayed C-section.

Resultant Injuries

The results of a delayed C-section can be disastrous, even if it’s put off for just for a few minutes. They may include injury or death to either the mother or the infant, and thus may warrant compensation. Among the injuries that an infant may suffer from a delay are the following:

  • Brain damage from lack of oxygen
  • Loss of normal motor function
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Cortical blindness
  • Inability to eat normally
  • Delays in physical development
  • Stroke
  • Lung problems
  • Heart problems
  • Death

The pain and suffering resulting from a delayed C-section, along with medical expenses, disability, and other costs, often prompt those involved to seek legal compensation. A skilled medical malpractice attorney is absolutely vital in pursuing compensation for child birth injuries. If a family member has suffered from a delayed Caesarean as a result of medical negligence, contact the dedicated attorneys at Riley Law Firm as soon as possible.