The process of labor and delivery is fairly straightforward, but there are complications that can arise. When they do, they require immediate attention and the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff in the room is expected to know how to respond quickly. Below are some of the most common mistakes that can occur, and what to do when a preventable error causes you harm.
Failure to Progress
Any birth that takes longer than 20 hours is considered failure to progress if it is the mother’s first delivery. If it is not the woman’s first delivery and it lasts longer than 14 hours, it is also considered a failure to progress. Failure to progress is fairly common, affecting approximately eight percent of people that give birth. Failure to progress can occur due to the slow dilating of the cervix, a larger baby, multiple births, and other factors.
Non-Reassuring Fetal Status
Once known as fetal distress, non-reassuring fetal status is a term used to describe a baby that is not doing well during delivery. Non-reassuring fetal status is sometimes linked to low levels of amniotic fluid, issues with movement and muscle tone, and an irregular fetal heartbeat.
Perinatal Asphyxia
Perinatal asphyxia is defined as a failure to initiate and maintain breathing during the birthing process. Perinatal asphyxia can result in low oxygen levels, too much acid in the blood, and higher levels of carbon dioxide. It can also lead to organ malfunction and cardiovascular problems. Typically, doctors will treat perinatal asphyxia by giving oxygen to the mother or by performing a caesarean section.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s head is delivered vaginally, but the shoulders remain inside the mother. Shoulder dystocia is not very common but when it does occur, it results in a caesarean section approximately half of the time. Healthcare professionals should always take immediate action to prevent harm to the baby and mother. They should try to turn the baby’s shoulders manually, change the mother’s position, or order a caesarean section.
Excessive Bleeding
Women lose a lot of blood during the birthing process. During a single vaginal birth, a woman will lose approximately 500 milliliters of blood and during a caesarian section, a woman will lose twice that much. Excessive bleeding during or after the delivery process can result in organ failure, low blood pressure, shock, and even death. These complications can be avoided with immediate medical treatment.
A Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help You Recover Compensation after Complications
There are many complications that can occur during labor and delivery and they all have the potential to be devastating for the child and mother. If you have suffered from complications during the birthing process, it is important to call a medical malpractice attorney that can help. A lawyer can help you recover compensation for birth injury expenses that can offset the financial burden of the injury and help you move forward.