Every second counts in the delivery of your baby. When labor takes a dangerous turn, your medical team must act decisively and quickly to prevent birth complications.
If your family is facing a serious birth injury, the devastating cause can be a preventable, delayed C-section.
What mandates an emergency C-section?
Emergency C-sections occur when the medical team detects these factors:
- The baby exhibits a fast or slow heart rate.
- The baby is in an abnormal birth position.
- The baby cannot fit through the mother’s pelvis.
- The baby has a prolapsed umbilical cord.
Any signs of these conditions require an immediate change to the delivery plan. In this time-sensitive situation, your medical team has a critical decision-to-delivery interval. If an emergency C-section is paramount to your baby’s safety, they must advance with the procedure within 10 to 30 minutes after detecting fetal compromise.
What are the consequences of a delayed C-section?
A delayed C-section is often rooted in medical negligence, such as a medical team’s lack of vigilant monitoring, missed diagnosis and failure to communicate urgency. Because of this, your baby can suffer from these long-term conditions:
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) or brain damage from lack of oxygen
- Cerebral palsy
- Permanent physical, developmental and cognitive disabilities
- Seizures and stroke
Medical negligence in Oregon is unlawful, as it puts you and your family at risk. Filing a lawsuit requires proving the medical team failed to meet the required standard of care, resulting in a measurable injury.
Protecting your family’s future
Birth injuries can leave you with an immense physical, emotional and financial burden that you do not deserve. If your child suffers from a birth injury due to a delayed C-section, you need a vigorous and ethical investigation. Legal counsel can help you navigate the complexities of proving medical malpractice and building a strong case.