Labor & Delivery Complications Everyone Should Look For

During the birthing process, complications can arise. Mothers, fathers, other family members, and medical staff should be aware of any pain or conditions that do not seem normal when a baby is about to be born. Some labor and delivery complications can be resolved with medication or cesarean section (C-section) delivery. If not treated properly, complications can cause birth injuries.

Non-progressing labor, early water break, abnormal bleeding, umbilical cord issues, limited oxygen in the uterus, malposition, placenta previa, and cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) are complications that can occur during labor and delivery. Any sign of these complications should receive immediate medical attention.

In some cases, labor and delivery complications result from the negligence of medical professionals or facilities. In such instances, you can file a personal injury claim against the negligent party, and our attorneys at Goodman Acker, P.C., can help. Call us at 248-286-8100 to book a free case review.

Why choose the legal team at Goodman Acker, P.C.?

At Goodman Acker, P.C., we have a dedicated and experienced team of birth injury attorneys committed to helping you get justice when a medical professional’s negligence causes labor and delivery complications. We understand the emotional toll labor and pregnancy complications take on families, and the financial implications, too, and will do all we can to secure a favorable outcome.

We dedicate our time and resources to every case we handle and have secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We do not charge upfront fees; we only get paid when we secure a favorable outcome. Contact us at 248-286-8100 to learn more about how we can help you.

Common labor and delivery complications

The following are common labor and delivery complications experienced during childbirth:

Non-progressing labor

The natural progression of labor involves cervical dilation and periodic contractions. As delivery approaches, the cervix dilates more, and contractions strengthen. If labor is not progressing properly, the cervix may dilate too slowly, and contractions can weaken. Slow labor progression may not cause complications during the latent phase of labor but can have severe consequences in the active phase of labor.

Early water break

Water breaking usually signifies the start of labor. If a mother’s water breaks well before their due date, or the water breaks early and labor does not start, it can lead to infection, umbilical cord issues, or premature delivery.

Abnormal bleeding

Excessive blood loss is one of the top causes of maternal death. A doctor should immediately address any unusual bleeding during pregnancy.

Umbilical cord issues

An infant’s umbilical cord can wrap around their limbs or neck during delivery. Other umbilical cord complications include umbilical cord compression and incidents in which the umbilical cord comes out before the baby does.

Limited oxygen in the uterus

During the birthing process, a baby may not receive enough oxygen. This is known as perinatal asphyxia and can occur during any stage of birth. The baby may require supplemental oxygen or medication post-delivery to recover from perinatal asphyxia.

Malposition

A typical delivery complication is a situation in which the baby is not correctly positioned for a successful delivery. This can cause harm to the baby or the mother. The best birthing position is when the infant’s head is facing downward. If the baby is incorrectly positioned, a doctor can reposition the baby or may perform a C-section for easier delivery.

Placenta previa

Placenta previa is a condition in which the placenta covers the opening of the cervix. A sign of placenta previa is painless bleeding late in pregnancy. Again, any unusual bleeding should be addressed by medical staff. If a doctor identifies placenta previa in a mother, they will most likely perform a C-section.

Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)

If, during delivery, the baby’s head is too big to fit through the pelvis, a doctor should perform a C-section. This is known as cephalopelvic disproportion and can occur if a baby is large, the mother’s pelvis is small, or the baby is not positioned correctly.

What happens if negligence causes labor and delivery complications

Not all labor and delivery complications are the fault of medical doctors, but some are. Medical mistakes made during labor and delivery can lead to several problems that can last a long time or, tragically, end the life of the newborn or the mother. You can take legal action if negligence caused your labor and delivery complications.

Texas law allows you to file a personal injury case against the responsible doctor to recover damages. However, proving the negligence of a medical professional can be challenging. First, you must show that there was an existing doctor-patient relationship, and you can prove this using your medical records.

Second, you must show that the doctor owed you a duty of care, which they breached by failing to uphold the standard of care. The standard of care refers to acting as another doctor with similar experience and qualifications would have acted in the same situation. Third, you will establish how the doctor failed to uphold the duty of care, and fourth, how the breach caused the labor and delivery complications.

Finally, you will show the damages suffered, whether physical, financial, or mental. You can recover economic and non-economic damages covering medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, etc. When dealing with a medical negligence case resulting in labor and birth complications, it is best to work with an experienced attorney.

Let us help you with your personal injury case

Welcoming a child into the world should be a joyful occasion and not marred with labor and delivery complications. If this happens and results from the doctor’s negligence, you should hold them accountable for the harm they caused. While no amount of money can replace having a healthy baby or bring back a deceased loved one who passed from labor complications, it cushions the effect by ensuring you don’t have medical debts.

Our Goodman Acker, P.C. attorneys can help you get justice. We have done so for numerous clients and have a successful track record. Contact us at 248-286-8100 to schedule a free case evaluation.