A cesarean delivery, called a C-section, is an important and often life-saving surgical intervention. Its job is to safely deliver a difficult pregnancy, although the procedure is often done voluntarily to avoid other issues during delivery. There are risks associated with C-sections, many of which come with the territory. Many others are caused by a doctor’s negligence or the wrongful actions of other medical staff. When this happens, both the mother and baby are at substantial risk of severe injuries.
While every medical procedure carries risks, a C-section is especially hazardous when done poorly. Learn common injuries patients face and the compensation that may be available after a doctor’s negligence.
What Is a C-Section?
A C-section is a surgical method of delivering a baby through incisions into the mother’s abdomen and uterus. This surgery typically requires only regional anesthesia, and the mother remains awake during the procedure.
Many C-sections are emergency procedures performed for reasons such as:
- Labor is taking a dangerously long time
- The baby is in distress
- The mother is carrying more than one baby
- There is a prolapsed umbilical cord
- There is a blockage preventing vaginal birth
- The baby is backward or in an unusual position
- There are problems with the placenta
Some C-sections are planned in advance. Many women wish to avoid potential labor problems or the damage associated with vaginal birth. Planning may be for purely personal reasons or it may be because of known dangers the mother faces. While C-sections may seem routine, they are serious surgical procedures that carry substantial risks.
Common C-Section Injuries
C-section injuries can occur to both the mother and the baby. They often arise from existing complications, medical issues with the mother, or medical mistakes by doctors and staff. Any of these injuries can also have dangerous complications.
Injuries to the Mother
Maternal harm can be traumatic and long lasting. Dangerous injuries associated with C-sections often include:
- Blood clots or excessive bleeding
- Endometritis and infection of the uterine lining
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Extreme pain
- Surgical site infections
- Difficulty breathing
- Surgical injuries to other organs or body parts
- Increased risks to future pregnancies
Many of these injuries can happen because of the emergency nature of the surgery. For others, even planning for the surgery carries the same risk of injury. Doctors can help mothers prepare and limit their risks by discussing them and taking appropriate steps ahead of the surgery.
Injuries to the Child
A negligent C-section can do incredible damage to the baby. Some of these injuries can be temporary, while others can lead to lifelong, debilitating conditions. Child injuries after C-section surgery include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Hypoxia or lack of oxygen to the brain
- Cerebral palsy
- Klumpke’s palsy
- Skin lacerations
- Breathing problems and long-term respiratory problems
- Broken bones and fractures
- Erb’s palsy
Seeing a child suffer after an accident is hard for the entire family. This suffering could last for years or even follow a child throughout the rest of their life. When this is the case, it is crucial to determine the cause of the accident.
What Causes C-Section Birth Injuries?
Despite the fact that C-sections are seen as routine surgeries by many doctors and even patients, there are many potential causes of injuries, including:
- Delayed C-sections: Doctors and nurses can miss critical signs that a C-section is necessary. They might take too long to notice labor complications that require surgical intervention.
- Problems with anesthesia: Anesthesia is an important part of the process, but it can also be dangerous. Anesthesia overdose can cause difficulty breathing or even death.
- Failure to monitor vitals: Medical staff must constantly monitor patient vitals, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and more. Failure to do so is medical negligence, and it is often the reason babies and mothers are injured.
- Improper surgical methods: C-sections should follow a set procedure and proper surgical methods. Great harm results when doctors skip steps or negligently perform the surgery.
- Unclean surfaces or surgical instruments: The risk of infection is high for any surgery, but both mother and child are at risk of infections after a C-section. Infections can cause serious complications or death.
- Fetal distress: Some problems exist because of the delivery itself and not medical negligence. Obstructions, umbilical cord issues, and placental abruptions may cause serious harm. When medical staff fails to handle these problems correctly, the problem is even more dangerous.
- Poor aftercare: C-sections require important aftercare, such as surgical incision site care and antibiotics. Nurses or medical staff who miss these important steps can allow serious complications to arise.
Compensation After C-Section Injuries
A successful medical malpractice case may win financial compensation for both mother and child. Proving medical negligence requires showing that the doctor or hospital failed to meet the applicable standard of medical care. The victims and their attorney can investigate the case to determine the cause of the accident, what went wrong, and the types of harm suffered. A medical malpractice lawsuit may help an injured victim win compensation such as:
- Past and future medical costs
- Loss of income or future earning capacity
- Costs of rehabilitation and physical therapy services
- Costs of new disabilities and related accommodations
- Unique childcare costs and educational expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship and support
- Grief and wrongful death damages
The amount of compensation available depends on the severity of the injuries to the mother or child.
Getting Help After a C-Section Injury
C-section injuries can place significant burdens on a family. The financial costs and emotional hardships can affect their lives forever. Victims have options, and an experienced C-section birth injury lawyer knows how to help.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic. C-section.
- National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Fetal Injury Associated With Cesarean Delivery.
- National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Skeletal Injuries After Cesarean Section—A Rare Differential Diagnosis of Child Abuse.
- National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Surgical site infections after cesarean delivery: epidemiology, prevention and treatment.
