There are many different types of birth injuries to both mother and baby which can range in severity. These injuries often arise from failure by medical staff to monitor properly. It is important throughout from early pregnancy to the labour itself that risks are identified and managed properly and that appropriate procedures are followed. These can include screening tests such as blood and ultrasound tests. Fetal anatomy scans should also be performed and interpreted correctly. Furthermore gestational diabetes should be screened as well as tests for chromosomal problems such as Down syndrome or Edwards’ syndrome.

Cerebral Palsy is perhaps the most common type of birth injury caused by negligence but there are many others:

• Erb’s Palsy (usually caused by shoulder dystocia or nerve damage)
• Maternal infection – for example chorioamnionitis which is a bacterial infection usually infecting the amniotic fluid, placenta and also the baby. Mothers can also develop blood poisoning or sepsis
• Umbilical cord prolapse which can be most serious and cause oxygen deprivation to the baby. This needs to be properly managed by healthcare professionals
• Umbilical cord compression which similar to cord prolapse can cause oxygen deprivation to the baby and again needs to be properly managed
• Rupture of the uterine which can occur during vaginal delivery (usually after a prior caesarean section) where the mother’s uterus suffers a catastrophic tear and the baby slips into the abdominal cavity which can cause severe bleeding in the mother and can cause oxygen deprivation to the baby leading to brain damage or death
• Rupturing of the placenta. This can arise when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus (womb) prior to birth. The consequence of this is lack of oxygen to the baby. Negligence can arise in the identification, monitoring and management of placenta rupture
• Midwifery and Obstetrics negligence which can include injury from forceps or vacuum extractors during labour as well as sub-standard suturing.
• Caesarean Section (C-Section). Complications can arise in the form of infection, clots and problems with suturing at the abdominal incision site. If these are not managed properly the results can be serious. In some cases a negligently performed caesarean section can cause oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) to the baby which depending on the duration can be fatal or cause lifelong brain damage.  This outcome might even arise if the medical team failed to carry out a caesarean section in time or the procedure is carried out substandard
• Retained products of conception (RPOC) – This can arise usually when a pregnancy terminates early and fetal or placental tissue remains in the uterus. It is important that this is identified and treated appropriately as the risks can extend to heavy bleeding and infection

Our birth injury medical negligence compensation claims solicitors

If you or a loved one have been affected by birth injuries or related matters, our medical negligence solicitors can help you pursue a claim for compensation. We believe in putting you our client first and we are committed to achieving the best result possible while all the time remaining sensitive to your needs. Please feel free to reach out to us below and will be pleased to discuss your case and offer no obligation advice.

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