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Can I Sue My Doctor if My Infant Suffered From Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy?
Both mothers and infants are at a heightened risk of complications and injuries during labor. Sometimes, injuries happen because of unpredictable events; other times, a provider’s negligence is responsible for causing problems. One of the most dangerous forms of birth injuries is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), or a lack of oxygen to the brain during birth. Infants who do not have sufficient access to oxygen during labor can suffer from permanent brain damage and even die. Providers must be aware of the risk factors that heighten the potential for HIE and can be held liable for birth injuries resulting from failure to provide a safe and appropriate standard of care.
What is Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy?
Although there are many ways that a lack of oxygen can damage an infant during childbirth, HIE specifically refers to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the brain. Many complicating factors can contribute to HIE, including, but not limited to:
Serious Consequences of Delayed C-Sections in Cook County Hospitals
C-sections, short for “cesarean sections,” are generally a safe alternative to giving birth vaginally. C-section deliveries can be planned in advance, but can also happen unexpectedly or in an emergency. Prolonged labor or pregnancy complications often require C-sections to preserve the health of the mother and the baby.
When timed and performed correctly, C-section deliveries can save lives. But when doctors do not recognize that a C-section delivery is necessary, a delayed procedure can cause serious injuries and even death. Read on to learn more about when C-sections may be necessary and the potential consequences of improperly delaying this important procedure.
What Are Common Injuries From a Delayed C-Section?
Injuries resulting from delayed C-sections are one of the most easily preventable birth injuries, making it especially devastating when obstetricians fail to recognize their necessity. Infants are at greatest risk of catastrophic birth injury, and common types of injury include:
Can Untreated Maternal Genital Herpes Cause Infant Injury or Death?
Healthy children are born every day in Cook County hospitals, and for most parents, childbirth is one of the hardest but most joyous experiences they will ever have. For some parents, however, what should be a sacred and precious experience ends in a nightmare. If a mother has a case of undiagnosed or untreated genital herpes, there is a risk that an infant will catch herpes from the mother during childbirth, resulting in serious injuries or death.
Can a Newborn Get Genital Herpes?
Newborns can catch genital herpes from their mothers, especially if the mother contracted herpes for the first time during the last six weeks of her pregnancy. The first herpes outbreak a person experiences is usually her worst, but a mother having an outbreak may be actively shedding the virus during birth even if it is not her first. Women who are having an active herpes outbreak who share that information with their doctors and fail to receive adequate treatment may pass the infection onto their infants.
What Do You Need to Prove Medical Malpractice in a Birth Injury Case?
Doctors, nurses, surgeons, pharmacists, and other medical professionals are held to a high standard when it comes to patient care. Something as simple as misinterpreting a laboratory test result or ignoring an elevated fetal heart rate can have disastrous consequences – especially during pregnancy and birth. If you or your baby were harmed by suspected medical negligence, you may be able to take legal action to hold the party who was at fault responsible and recover financial compensation for your damages. However, to bring a successful birth injury claim, you will need compelling evidence.
Elements of a Birth Injury Case
Doctors and other medical professionals cannot prevent every tragedy. However, they do have a legal obligation to provide competent medical care to their patients.
When a mother or her child are harmed during pregnancy, labor, or delivery by a medical mistake or oversight, a victim or their family members may choose to bring a medical malpractice claim against the liable party. The at-fault party may be an individual medical provider or a medical facility such as a hospital. To be successful, the plaintiff in a birth injury case must prove:
When Can a Baby Contract a Group B Strep Infection During Birth?
There are many issues that can affect the health and safety of a child during the process of pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Some of the most serious concerns involve infections that may be passed from a mother to a child. Group B streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most common of these infections, and it can lead to serious injuries and health issues for newborns. By understanding the risk factors, the symptoms, and the effects of a GBS infection, parents can make sure they are taking the right steps to protect their child’s health and well-being.
Causes of GBS Infections for Newborns
Streptococcus, or strep, bacteria are often present in human intestines, genitalia, and urinary tracts. Around one out of every four pregnant women have GBS bacteria in their bodies. In some cases, the bacteria may be transmitted to a child during pregnancy, or an infection may lead to chorioamnionitis, which may lead to inflammation of the placenta, restricting the flow of blood and oxygen to the child and potentially leading to issues such as lack of oxygen or cerebral palsy. However, children are most commonly affected by GBS infections during childbirth.
New Study Shows that Horse Therapy is an Effective Treatment for Children With Cerebral Palsy
Every parent hopes that their child will grow up healthy and strong. Unfortunately, approximately 2 out of 1000 children suffer from a serious condition called cerebral palsy. The causes of cerebral palsy are not fully understood. Sometimes, the condition is unavoidable. Other times, medical negligence during pregnancy or birth causes the condition.
Cerebral palsy can reduce a child’s ability to walk, talk, eat, and become an independent adult. Fortunately, there are several different treatments available to cerebral palsy sufferers that may reduce symptoms and improve mobility. A recent study has demonstrated that horse therapy, also called hippotherapy or equine therapy, is a viable treatment option for kids with cerebral palsy.
Horse Riding May Improve Motor Function
Traditionally, the treatment for cerebral palsy has included treatment like physical therapy, speech therapy, surgery, and medication. However, many experts are starting to take note of the benefits of horse riding for cerebral palsy sufferers. During hippotherapy, the horse’s natural movements are used to provide sensory and motor input. A recent study conducted by the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology found that children who rode horses demonstrated improved motor skills and increased muscle tone. When horses walk or trot, they force the rider’s movements to match their own. The improvements exhibited by participants in hippotherapy are thought to be linked to the synchronization of the horse’s movements and the rider’s movements.
Can I Bring a Medical Malpractice Claim After a Stillbirth?
When a woman is pregnant, the last thing she expects is her child’s life to end prematurely. Sadly, approximately 1 in 160 births is a stillbirth. If your baby died during pregnancy, you may be shocked and overwhelmed. You may be asking yourself if there was anything that could have been done to prevent your child’s death. Stillbirths occur for countless reasons. Sometimes, unavoidable genetic abnormalities are to blame for an infant’s death. Problems with the umbilical cord or placenta, infections, and preeclampsia can also cause or contribute to stillbirth.
If substandard medical care causes a stillbirth, the mother or father may pursue a medical malpractice claim against the responsible party. The parents may be entitled to financial compensation for their losses.
Stillbirths Caused by Medical Negligence
Doctors and other medical professionals are expected to meet the medical standard of care when treating patients and their unborn babies. If a medical professional fails to meet this standard and causes a patient’s injury or death, the professional may be liable for damages. Sometimes, the liable party is the hospital or medical facility at which the substandard care occurred.
Is Uterine Rupture Caused by Medical Malpractice?
Despite advances in medical technology, women still face the risk of maternal injury. Maternal injuries vary in severity, with some only causing minor harm. However, in some instances, both the mother and the baby can be severely hurt.
Uterine rupture is among the most serious maternal injuries. The term describes the tearing of the mother’s uterus during pregnancy or childbirth.
During labor, the mother’s uterus expands as she delivers her baby. After birth, the uterus retracts back to its normal size. However, in some instances, the pressure of the baby strains the uterine walls to the point that they begin to tear or “rupture.”
The consequences can be dire. The mother may experience severe bleeding and excruciating pain. The baby can also be harmed, as the rupture may impact their oxygen levels. In extreme cases, the injury can be fatal for both the mother and the baby. Even if it is not fatal, uterine rupture can cause permanent disability and leave the mother unable to give birth again.
Cytotec and Maternal Injury
Labor induction, although not the norm, is a fairly common practice. A doctor may decide to induce labor for a variety of different reasons, including to preserve the health of the baby and mother.
OB/GYNs have a variety of methods at their disposal to induce labor. Most commonly, doctors will administer a medication that stimulates and softens the uterus (known in the medical community as “ripening”)
Cytotec is one of the most popular uterus-ripening drugs. Although initially developed as a treatment for ulcers, the drug was found to be an effective ripening agent. It is prized for its affordability, efficiency, and ease of use. The drug is also recommended by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as a safe and effective means of inducing labor.
However, despite its popularity, Cytotec is not without risk. The drug has been associated with several serious side effects, with widespread reports of serious maternal injury. In fact, for this reason, the FDA warns against the use of the drug as a labor inducer.
Can I File a Lawsuit for Postpartum Hemorrhaging?
Pregnancy, birth, and the first weeks with her newborn baby are some of the most poignant, cherished moments in a mother’s life. Tragically, some new mothers will never experience them due to maternal injury. Maternal injuries occur prior, during, or immediately after childbirth, often causing significant bodily harm to the mother. Some injuries are treatable, while others can result in permanent disability and even death.
Maternal injuries may be the result of infections, obscure disorders, and surgical mistakes, but one of the most common causes is excessive bleeding. Every single year mothers suffer injury and death because of blood loss, known as postpartum hemorrhaging, during and after labor. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 5 in 100 mothers will experience excessive bleeding.
Causes of Postpartum Hemorrhaging
Postpartum hemorrhaging has many different causes. In most cases, it is related to an issue with the placenta. After birth, the placenta must detach and pass through the birth canal along with the afterbirth. If the placenta fails to detach properly, severe bleeding could result.
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