Causes Part 1: Failure to Perform an Emergency C-Section

Many individuals are unsure of what exactly causes a birth injury. However, having knowledge of this can help if the need for a lawsuit ever arises. In part one of our causes series, we discuss how failure to perform an emergency C-section can cause serious harm.

What Would Call for an Emergency C-Section?

There are some situations in which the doctor overseeing the labor may call for an emergency cesarean section to be performed in order to safely deliver the baby. This means that something alarming has occurred and if the C-section is not performed, it could be damaging to mother and/or baby. These situations include, but are not limited to:

• Prolapsed umbilical cord impacting the amount of oxygen and nutrients the baby is receiving
• Prolonged delivery in which the labor lasts longer than 20 hours for the first delivery or 14 hours for subsequent deliveries
• Placenta abruption may occur in which the placenta separates from the uterus wall and a C-section can help prevent damage

Other situations that may call for an emergency C-section include fetal distress, maternal hemorrhaging, or uterine rupture.

What Happens If an Emergency C-Section Is Not Performed?

While no mother truly wants to have her baby by means of a C-section, it is sometimes necessary to prevent serious harm. If not performed, there may be an increase in the risk of birth injury that can impact the baby over the course of a number of years.

One of the biggest effects that a baby may experience if an emergency C-section is not performed is brain damage due to severe lack of oxygen or blood flow. This can result in long-term development and cognitive issues for the baby.

Understanding the potential causes of a birth injury can be difficult, but with the help of our Philadelphia birth injury attorneys, you can have a better understanding of what you can do to move forward.

Contact The Beasley Firm and stay tuned for part two of our causes series.