No child should have to contend with a serious birth injury that could have been avoided but for the negligence of a medical practitioner. Caput succedaneum is a serious injury that could cause your child to suffer a wide range of long-term or even permanent symptoms. If your child developed caput succedaneum due to the negligent actions of a physician, contact an experienced Baltimore birth injury attorney today.
At Bennett & Heyman, P.A., we desire to help you hold a negligent medical practitioner accountable for causing your child a serious injury. We understand how a condition like caput succedaneum could affect your child, and we are here for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Bennett & Heyman, P.A. at (410) 429-7856, or contact us online.
Causes of Caput Succedaneum
Caput succedaneum (CS) is the swelling of the scalp of a newborn child shortly after they are delivered. The swelling of the scalp typically occurs because the child’s head was squeezed during labor. While CS is a condition that may heal over time, there is a possibility that your child could develop additional conditions as a result of this injury.
The following is a list of common causes of caput succedaneum.
Incorrect Use of Birthing Tools
A birthing tool is an instrument that is used to help in the delivery of a child from the womb. There are two types of birthing tools that are commonly used: forceps and vacuum extractors.
Forceps is an instrument that resembles salad tongs, and that is used to pull a child from the birth canal. Specifically, a doctor will attach forceps to the head of a child and use it to guide the delivery of the child.
Forceps can be incorrectly used in a number of ways. For example, if a doctor utilizes excessive force when delivering a child, they can squeeze the head of the child and cause them to develop CS. Another possibility is that the doctor is unaware of where the child’s head is located in the womb, and they attach the forceps to the wrong part of the baby’s head.
Vacuum extractors are used in a similar manner to forceps. A vacuum extractor is placed on the baby’s head while they are in the birth canal and used to pull the child from the womb. A physician must exercise care when using this device to avoid injuring the child or the mother.
It is important to note that birthing tools should not be used if the child is not in a position where they could be extracted safely. For example, if the baby enters the birth canal in the breech position (butt downwards), this would make it dangerous to utilize any birthing tools. Additionally, doctors should have a plan of action if forceps or a vacuum extractor is unsuccessful.
Prolonged Labor
Prolonged labor is hard on a child because of the pressure that will be exerted upon them in the mother’s birth canal. Difficult labor can be even more dangerous if the child weighs more than the average child. A child with a heavy weight or a large head could find themselves stuck in the mother’s birth canal, which could cause them to develop CS after the delivery.
If a doctor believes that labor will be too difficult for the child or the mother, they may suggest a birth by cesarean section (C-section). A doctor that does not present viable and alternative options to a mother regarding delivery could be held liable if a child is injured during delivery.
Ruptured Membranes
The membranes in the womb provide the child with cushioning while they occupy the womb. However, it is possible for membranes in the womb to rupture around week 31 of pregnancy. When membranes rupture, the cushion for a child will be gone, and their scalp may begin to swell while in the womb.
Ruptured membranes can be detected by using an ultrasound. If a doctor fails to notice that the membranes in your womb have ruptured and caused your child’s scalp to swell, this could be used as evidence of medical malpractice.
Our firm understands how a serious injury to your child could affect your family, and we are ready to work with you.
Contact Our Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today for Your Caput Succedaneum Claim
If your child was the victim of a serious birth injury, consult with an experienced Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer immediately. With over 70 years of legal experience, the birth injury lawyers at Bennett & Heyman, P.A. can help you litigate your medical malpractice claim. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Bennett & Heyman, P.A. at (410) 429-7856.
