What Are the Risk Factors for Birth Injuries?

As a birth injury lawyer knows all too well, birth injuries are devastating events for any parent. When an infant’s injury is the result of a healthcare provider’s medical malpractice, the situation can seem overwhelming. Instead of quietly listening when a doctor claims your baby’s injury was simply fate, contact a birth injury lawyer to find out if you have a claim against your doctor or hospital. Continue reading to learn why the mother’s size, an abnormal birth position, or premature delivery can put a newborn at risk for birth injury.

Maternal Size

While medical malpractice is never the patient’s fault, it helps to be informed about certain risk factors for birth injuries. For example, if the mother has anatomical abnormalities, there is a higher chance that her baby may be injured during the delivery process. One such abnormality is called cephalopelvic disproportion. As a birth injury lawyer will advise you, this condition means the mother’s pelvis is not appropriately shaped for vaginal birth and her physician should discuss plans to perform a c-section.

Abnormal Position

Birth injuries sometimes result because a baby is not in the correct position for delivery. A doctor’s failure to determine the baby’s position prior to labor can result in medical negligence. Your doctor should know which position your baby is in at least a week ahead of the due date. If a baby is breech or another abnormal position, a C-section can prevent birth injuries and complications.

Premature Delivery

Infants born before 37 weeks gestation face a higher risk for birth injuries. If your physician believes you are at risk for premature birth, he or she must recommend certain precautions which can include bed rest until the baby can be safely delivered. Common birth injuries associated with premature delivery include respiratory /lung issues and injury to the brain.

If you or a loved one has an infant whom you believe suffered a birth injury, it is imperative that you speak to a qualified birth injury lawyer near Long Island, New York as soon as possible. Call Pegalis & Erickson at (516) 684-2900. Attorney Advertising