Vancouver Birthing Complication Lawyers
Many babies experience some periodic compression of the umbilical cord during labour and delivery. Commonly, a short duration of cord compression will not cause any problems. Unfortunately, when cord compression continues for a prolonged period of time, or when the umbilical cord wraps around the baby’s neck or body, it can cause a prolonged or excessive reduction in blood flow and a decrease in oxygen to the baby’s brain.
When this happens, there can be a number of consequences for the child. At Pacific Medical Law, our lawyers have experience handling birth injuries and other medical issues caused by malpractice. We have the resources critical to success, and our firm is exclusively devoted to litigating medical malpractice cases. We have obtained many judgments and settlements in excess of $1 million.
Umbilical Cord Compression During Labour or Delivery
The well-being of a baby during labour and delivery is typically monitored for signs of distress. The staff will keep track of changes in the fetal heart rate in relation to the mother’s contractions and other stressors during the labour process. Doctors, nurses, and other health care providers need to properly monitor the mother and baby during the entire birth process and take the necessary steps to treat any problems that may arise as quickly as possible.
Many hospitals use electronic fetal monitors on women in labour, even those with expected normal vaginal deliveries. The monitor will measure and record the fetal heart rate. Obstetricians and nurses are trained in how to interpret these recordings and how to recognize patterns of distress.
Injuries can be caused by a failure to correctly interpret warning signs or a delay in the notification of the doctor after the nurse becomes aware of a problem.
What Is Umbilical Cord Compression
Umbilical cord compression is a medical term used to describe when a baby’s umbilical cord becomes flattened by pressure or stretched during labour and delivery. The result is a temporary slowdown in the blood flow to the fetus. These changes to the fetal heart rate aren’t normally a big problem. They can occur either during pregnancy or labour. Umbilical cord complications are actually more common than most people think and generally occur in one out of ten deliveries. They can, however, cause the need for an emergency cesarean section (c-section) and may cause permanent damage to the unborn baby such as brain damage or cerebral palsy if there is a lack of oxygen (known as birth asphyxia) for a long enough period of time before the problem is detected and resolved.
Causes Of Umbilical Cord Pressure And Compression
Umbilical cord compression occurs for a number of reasons and sometimes because of pregnancy complications. Most babies will undergo some form of mild, harmless, umbilical cord compression at some time during pregnancy. It usually happens either during the later term of the pregnancy when the baby moves around more actively or during delivery. It can happen when the cord becomes wrapped around the baby’s body or around its neck.
Umbilical Cord Prolapse
Before or during labor it is possible that the umbilical cord slips into or past the birth canal after the water breaks, preceding the baby. In some cases, the umbilical cord will even be seen through the vagina. This is called a prolapsed umbilical cord. The danger is that the blood flow through the umbilical cord can become slow or even stopped.
Speak To A Qualified British Columbia Birth Injury Attorney
Pacific Medical Law is a law firm dedicated to helping those who have been harmed by the negligence of healthcare professionals. If you suspect that your child has been injured due to umbilical cord compression or any other type of birth injury, we encourage you to contact as soon as possible.
It takes a special team to understand both the law and the medicine that must work together to create a successful case for any type of birth injury. Pacific Medical Law is that team. We will fight for the rights of your child and do everything that we can to make sure he or she gets the full and fair compensation to which they are entitled.
Your initial consultation is free and confidential. You can contact us online anytime, or call our toll free phone number at 1-877-898-2409 to schedule an appointment. We’ll be happy to go over the particulars of your case and discuss exactly what we can do to help you.