San Antonio Medical Malpractice & Personal Injury Lawyers
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Top 5 Most Dangerous Delivery Complications

There are few things worse than having your baby suffer harm because of a negligent action. When a medical professional fails to provide a standard of care and keep your baby safe, you deserve the right to hold them accountable. However, you must show causation, which means understanding some of the common complications that can arise.

At Maloney Law Group, P.L.L.C., we aim to help parents recognize their rights whenever their child sustains severe harm. As such, we will explain some of the most common delivery complications and your rights to move forward with legal counsel.

Five of the most dangerous delivery complications are:

  1. Oxygen deprivation / hypoxia
  2. Uterine rupture
  3. Shoulder dystocia
  4. Umbilical cord problems
  5. Infections

Call us today at (210) 361-2997 and discuss your rights with a legal professional. We offer free consultations!

  1. Oxygen Deprivation / Hypoxia

Oxygen deprivation (also known as hypoxia) can occur when the baby is in the womb, during delivery, or even postpartum. Unfortunately, you may encounter several complications during your pregnancy, and if a doctor fails to recognize them through proper monitoring, severe harm can occur.

During pregnancy or delivery, oxygen deprivation can result in significant brain injuries, including permanent disorders such as cognitive deficiencies, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and cerebral palsy.

  1. Uterine Rupture

A uterine rupture is a rare condition but a very serious one. It happens when the uterus tears. One of the causes of uterine ruptures is pressure building during labor. Uterine rupture can lead to significant complications and cause life-threatening harm for the baby and the mother.

A uterine rupture can cause major blood loss, sudden pain during contractions, abdominal pain, rapid heart rate, and low blood pressure. Doctors need to recognize any sign of a uterine rupture to provide sufficient treatment.

  1. Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia often occurs during vaginal delivery. If a baby is too big for the mother’s birth canal, his or her shoulder can get stuck behind the pelvic bone. A baby can suffer a brachial plexus injury or clavicle fracture because of shoulder dystocia while the mother may experience uterine rupture or postpartum bleeding.

A brachial plexus injury causes damages to the nerves going from the neck to the arm. In many situations, shoulder dystocia can be prevented by performing a cesarean section, but it’s vital to recognize the potential issue before it becomes a bigger problem.

  1. Umbilical Cord Prolapse

Umbilical cord prolapse is another rare condition, but when it happens, some dangerous risks exist. Some of the complications that can increase the risk of cord prolapse include breech delivery, preterm labor, and prolonged labor. This condition occurs because of premature membrane ruptures.

  1. Infections

Unfortunately, several issues can increase the possibility of you or your baby suffering an infection during labor and delivery. Infections are also possible during the pregnancy, and it’s essential for medical professionals to monitor your pregnancy and delivery to ensure they recognize signs of infection.

Treatment is vital in the event of an infection as it could cause other issues and long-term harm.

Negligent medical professionals should be held accountable if they allow or cause a baby to suffer significant harm. It happens far too often, and mothers have the rights to pursue compensation for their families that can cover the long-term expenses associated with the care your child will need.

At Maloney Law Group, P.L.L.C., we work to provide the care and compassion you deserve during a difficult situation. Our San Antonio birth injury attorneys will go above and beyond to help you pursue the compensation you need. We have decades of experience, and we put San Antonio families first.

We offer you a consultation, so you have a better understanding of what comes next. Call our firm today at (210) 361-2997 to schedule yours with a member of our team.