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Umbilical Cord Clamping & Medical Malpractice

Posted on September 28th 2009

Our Michigan birth injury lawyers handle cases involving umbilical cord clamping. Clamping the umbilical cord of a newborn too early after birth can lead to some life threatening results. It can deprive the newborn of oxygen supply and lead to brain damage and other permanent conditions.

Research has suggested that cutting the cord very quickly upon delivery can reduce the baby’s oxygen supply which can cause damage to the brain. It can also deprive the newborn of nutrient rich blood in the minutes before they start the breathing function.  It is also believed that this can lead to brain hemorrhaging, mental impairment including autism and iron deficiencies in the newborn..

In many healthcare facilities, umbilical cords are clamped instantly after birth because medical science has believed for the last 20 years that this reduces the risk of mother’s bleeding to death.

However, many health experts now believe that the risk posed to the baby by doing this practice outweighs the harm to the mother. They believe at least 3 minutes or more should elapse before the umbilical cord is cut.

Contact a Michigan Umbilical Cord Clamping Malpractice Lawyer

If an infant suffers injuries due to improper umbilical cord clamping, it can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit.  Children who suffer brain damage and other injuries due to this negligence often require special social, academic and vocational services over their lifetime. These often require services that amount to a significant expense over a child’s lifetime and are sought as damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

It is essential to contact our office as soon as possible so that we can obtain your child’s complete medical chart to determine whether there was negligence involved in the treatment.  There are strict time delays for filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Michigan so it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to see if your child has valid case.

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Fetal Asphyxia & Michigan Birth Injury Lawyers

Posted on September 28th 2009

Fetal asphyxia is a medical condition that occurs when a newborn does not receive adequate oxygen supply before, during or just after birth. The condition has serious effect on the mental and physical development of your newborn. There are cases when Fetal asphyxia occurred due to the caregiver’s negligence, causing a birth injury. If you believe you or a loved one had suffered fetal asphyxia due to medical negligence, you should contact one of our Michigan birth injury lawyers.

Causes of Fetal Asphyxia

Some causes of reduced oxygen supply before or during birth are:

  • Inadequate oxygen in blood of the mother
  • Low blood pressure of mother
  • early separation of placenta from uterus
  • umbilical cord compression

Factors that reduce oxygen in blood after birth are:

  • low blood pressure
  • heart/lung disease
  • respiratory problems
  • severe anemia

Lower levels of oxygen cause the newborn to have a reduced flow of blood, decreased heart rate and a lower blood pressure. This can restrict the flow of blood to organs and tissues, causing an improper function of the body cells. This may also cause cell damage. Organs such as brain, heart, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, lungs and kidneys can be among those affected by this condition.

Signs & Symptoms of Fetal Asphyxia

Some common symptoms of Fetal asphyxia include:

1.       Symptoms before delivery

  • Abnormal heart rate
  • Increased acidity level in Fetal’ blood

2.       Symptoms at birth

  • Low heart rate
  • Pale skin color
  • Weak cry
  • Weak muscle tone
  • Weak breathing

Treatment for Fetal Asphyxia

Fetal asphyxia is a complex condition, quite difficult to prevent. It can be minimized with prompt treatment.

Treatment depends on:

  • Infant’s age, health and medical history
  • Severity of the infant’s condition
  • Infant’s tolerance for medications and procedures

Treatment can include:

  • C-section or emergency delivery
  • Giving large amount of oxygen to the mother before delivery
  • Assisted ventilation to help the infant breathe
  • ECMO – extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Contact a Michigan Fetal Asphyxia Malpractice Lawyer

If an infant suffers injuries due to fetal asphyxia that was not timely diagnosed and treated, it can give rise to a medical malpractice lawsuit.  Children with fetal asphyxia often develop conditions that can affect the social, academic and vocational upbringing of the infant. These often require services that amount to a significant expense over a child’s lifetime and are sought as damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

It is essential to contact our office as soon as possible so that we can obtain your child’s complete medical chart to determine whether there was negligence involved in the treatment.  There are strict time delays for filing medical malpractice lawsuits in Michigan so it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to see if your child has valid case.

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