Birth Injuries and Birth Defects from a High Risk Pregnancy
by
Bruce Fagel on Sep. 26, 2012
Accident & Injury Medical Malpractice Accident & Injury Wrongful Death Accident & Injury Personal Injury
Summary: Even though an expected mother may be at a high risk pregnancy category, this does not excuse a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional from medical malpractice. This article discussed various types of high risk pregnancies.
Although many pregnancies carry a low risk of birth injuries or birth defects, some pregnancies pose a higher risk. Medical professionals need to be proactive in screening for and treating a high risk pregnancy; otherwise, they may be held legally responsible if the baby or mother is injured by a high risk pregnancy due to a doctor’s negligence in preventing the injury.
A high risk pregnancy may be applied under a number of categories including:
Vaginal birth after cesarean / VBAC: Women who have had a previous cesarean section birth are often able to have a VBAC with their next birth. However, there is a risk of a uterine rupture, so the doctor must pay close attention to the fetal heart rate monitor for signs of fetal distress and be prepared to perform an emergency C-section promptly if a medical emergency arises. Women who are planning a VBAC delivery should make sure their hospital is VBAC prepared, including having a 24 hour a day anesthesiologist available in the facility.
Premature baby: Premature babies are more vulnerable to a variety of health disorders including developmental delays, delivery trauma, cerebral palsy, and death. When it comes to a premature delivery, doctors need to make every attempt at prolonging gestation so the baby will have a chance to further develop inside the mother. Also doctors must carefully monitor premature infants, including providing ultrasound tests, treating preeclampsia or infections, be prepared to respond to a premature rupture of the membranes, and administer corticosteroids to a fetus when premature birth is expected. The obstetrician may need to administer an emergency C-section in certain circumstances with a premature infant to avoid serious brain injury or death from occurring.
Older women are at an increased risk for birth defects including Down syndrome, premature birth, and miscarriage. Doctors must notify parents if their infant is discovered to have Down syndrome. Failure of a doctor to provide this information to expected parents can result in the physician being held legally liable if the baby is born with Down syndrome.
A mother expecting twins, triplets, or a larger delivery is at a greater risk for birth injuries. Doctors need to provide the necessary tests including ultrasounds and fetal non-stress tests. Doctors should also be prepared for an emergency cesarean section if needed.
Larger sized babies present a greater risk for problems during pregnancy, labor and delivery than average sized babies. Physicians need to take ultrasound images at different stages of the pregnancy in order to monitor the growth of the baby. If the infant is determined to be too large for a natural delivery through the birth canal, then obstetricians must prepare in advance for a possible C-section.
Even though an expected mother may be at a high risk pregnancy category, this does not excuse a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional from medical malpractice. If your doctor failed to detect or treat a high risk pregnancy and this lead to a birth injury or birth defect to your child, you should contact the best California medical malpractice attorney possible such as Dr. Bruce Fagel. Dr. Fagel is a leading medical malpractice lawyer and a licensed physician.
Visit us on Facebook and Twitter:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birthinjury
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fagellaw
A high risk pregnancy may be applied under a number of categories including:
Vaginal birth after cesarean / VBAC: Women who have had a previous cesarean section birth are often able to have a VBAC with their next birth. However, there is a risk of a uterine rupture, so the doctor must pay close attention to the fetal heart rate monitor for signs of fetal distress and be prepared to perform an emergency C-section promptly if a medical emergency arises. Women who are planning a VBAC delivery should make sure their hospital is VBAC prepared, including having a 24 hour a day anesthesiologist available in the facility.
Premature baby: Premature babies are more vulnerable to a variety of health disorders including developmental delays, delivery trauma, cerebral palsy, and death. When it comes to a premature delivery, doctors need to make every attempt at prolonging gestation so the baby will have a chance to further develop inside the mother. Also doctors must carefully monitor premature infants, including providing ultrasound tests, treating preeclampsia or infections, be prepared to respond to a premature rupture of the membranes, and administer corticosteroids to a fetus when premature birth is expected. The obstetrician may need to administer an emergency C-section in certain circumstances with a premature infant to avoid serious brain injury or death from occurring.
Older women are at an increased risk for birth defects including Down syndrome, premature birth, and miscarriage. Doctors must notify parents if their infant is discovered to have Down syndrome. Failure of a doctor to provide this information to expected parents can result in the physician being held legally liable if the baby is born with Down syndrome.
A mother expecting twins, triplets, or a larger delivery is at a greater risk for birth injuries. Doctors need to provide the necessary tests including ultrasounds and fetal non-stress tests. Doctors should also be prepared for an emergency cesarean section if needed.
Larger sized babies present a greater risk for problems during pregnancy, labor and delivery than average sized babies. Physicians need to take ultrasound images at different stages of the pregnancy in order to monitor the growth of the baby. If the infant is determined to be too large for a natural delivery through the birth canal, then obstetricians must prepare in advance for a possible C-section.
Even though an expected mother may be at a high risk pregnancy category, this does not excuse a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional from medical malpractice. If your doctor failed to detect or treat a high risk pregnancy and this lead to a birth injury or birth defect to your child, you should contact the best California medical malpractice attorney possible such as Dr. Bruce Fagel. Dr. Fagel is a leading medical malpractice lawyer and a licensed physician.
Visit us on Facebook and Twitter:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birthinjury
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fagellaw