Failure to Perform a Timely C-Section

A doctor's failure to perform a timely C-section may result in medical malpractice lawsuits being filed by patients. If your child has suffered as a result of a medical mistake, contact a birth injury attorney for help.

When a fetus is in distress, acting quickly and effectively can save the life of the baby and the mother and prevent unnecessary harm. In some cases, this may require performing an emergency cesarean section. Obstetricians are trained to cope with emergency situations and complex births, and have specific procedures to follow when critical circumstances arise. Unfortunately, some doctors, Ob/Gyns and hospital staff members are poorly trained, inexperienced or distracted on the job, which can sometimes result in negligence or inadequate medical care. An example of negligence on the part of a healthcare professional would be failure to perform a timely C-section, which can result in severe harm to both mother and child. If your healthcare provider failed to perform a timely Cesarean section, and you or your child was injured as a result, contact a birth injury attorney to explore your compensation options.

Risk Factors Possibly Requiring a C-Section

Many birth injuries occur as a result of an obstetrician's failure to perform a timely C-section, despite risk factors that should have been recognized in prenatal care or during labor. Among these risk factors are:

• Fetal distress
• Oversized fetus
• Lack of oxygen during labor or delivery
• Failure of dilation to progress once labor has begun

A birthing team's failure to monitor the baby and potential fetal distress may lead to failure to perform a C-section in time to prevent harm to the baby. The adverse effects of this delayed action may be noticeable immediately after birth, or may arise weeks, months, or even years later, which is the case with devastating birth injuries like cerebral palsy.

Performing C-Sections When Fetus Distress is Detected

C-sections are often performed when complications arise during delivery. Circumstances under which a C-section may be necessary include situations in which doctors and hospital staff detect health problems in the mother, when a baby presents in an abnormal position, when there is not enough room for the baby to go through the birth canal, or when fetal distress occurs. When complications are detected during birth, healthcare professionals must take quick action to perform C-sections in a timely manner. Failure to do so may result in serious birth injury to the baby, including brain damage and other injuries due to oxygen deprivation.

Birth Injury Attorneys for Medical Negligence

During childbirth, parents are not immediately aware of any problems threatening the safety of their child. Pregnant mothers depend on the expertise and proper training of their obstetrician to care for their health and the health of their unborn child, and to do everything in their power to allow for a safe delivery. Unfortunately, failure to perform a timely C-section can have devastating consequences for both mother and child. If your child has suffered from adverse side effects resulting from a healthcare provider's failure to perform a timely C-section, contact a birth injury attorney to discuss your legal options. You may have grounds to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the hospital, doctor or Ob/Gyn responsible for your care, in order to seek financial compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. You are not at fault for any injuries resulting from a doctor's failure to perform a timely Cesarean section. With the help of a qualified birth injury lawyer, you can collect the compensation you deserve and protect yourself and your family from further harm.