It is vital for a pregnant mother to frequently consult with a doctor regarding her health and the health of her unborn child. Frequent hospital visits should help a doctor discover when a condition like cephalopelvic disproportion will place a child at risk. Unfortunately, some doctors may not take the required action necessary to protect a child during delivery. If your child suffered a serious injury due to cephalopelvic disproportion, contact an experienced Maryland cephalopelvic disproportion lawyer today.
At Bennett & Heyman, we are committed to fighting for mothers and children that were injured during delivery due to the negligence of a doctor or other medical staff. You and your child should not bear the burden of a severe injury due to a doctor’s failures. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856. You may also contact us online.
Birth Complications Caused by Cephalopelvic Disproportion
Cephalopelvic disproportion is a serious pregnancy issue where the fetus’ head cannot safely exit through the birth canal because the mother’s pelvis is not large enough. Alternatively, it could be that the fetus has a larger than average head that cannot fit through the birth canal. As a result, the delivery of the child could be dangerous for a mother and the child.
Risk Factors for Cephalopelvic Disproportion
There are a number of risk factors that could increase the likelihood of a mother experienced cephalopelvic disproportion. For example, if a pregnant mother had previously undergone a cesarean delivery, this could lead to the development of cephalopelvic disproportion in the future. There are a number of other risk factors that could lead to a mother having cephalopelvic disproportion:
- Advanced maternal age (i.e., 35 and older)
- Previous infertility treatments
- Gestational diabetes
- A mother who has birthed multiple children
- Polyhydramnios or complications with amniotic fluid
- Pregnancies that exceed 41 weeks
Common Causes of Cephalopelvic Disproportion
A contracted pelvis and an abnormally large baby are just two of the common causes of cephalopelvic disproportion. Spondylolisthesis is another type of condition that can lead to cephalopelvic disproportion. This condition occurs when a bone in a mother’s spine falls out of position and affects the bone under it.
Another condition that can cause cephalopelvic disproportion is pelvic exostoses. Pelvic exostosis is a condition characterized by bony growths that can make it dangerous when delivering a child.
How to Diagnose Cephalopelvic Disproportion
There are multiple ways to diagnose cephalopelvic disproportion. It is important for a doctor to discover that a child is at risk of being injured due to cephalopelvic disproportion. If a doctor fails to accurately diagnose a mother with cephalopelvic disproportion and her child is injured during labor, the doctor could be held liable for medical malpractice.
An ultrasound is one method that can be used to determine the size of a baby before birth. If a baby appears too large to fit through the birth canal after an ultrasound, a doctor needs to discuss options with a mother. MRI or X-ray pelvimetry are other options that may be used to diagnose the possibility of a mother developing cephalopelvic disproportion.
To learn more about the injuries that can be caused due to cephalopelvic disproportion, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Maryland cephalopelvic disproportion injury attorney.
Common Birth Injuries Caused by Cephalopelvic Disproportion in Maryland
Medical practitioners should exercise caution to avoid delivering a newborn when they are aware or should be aware that a newborn could be injured due to cephalopelvic disproportion. Unfortunately, some doctors fail to properly diagnose cephalopelvic disproportion, which can lead to a severe injury for a newborn. The following is a list of common birth injuries caused by cephalopelvic disproportion.
Administration of Pitocin
Pitocin is a drug that is used to increase the number of contractions a mother experiences during labor. This can be a serious issue if a doctor mistakes prolonged labor for cephalopelvic disproportion. As a result, contractions will be increased even though a child cannot safely fit through the birth canal. The incorrect use of Pitocin can lead to a number of injuries from bruising to brain injuries.
Lack of Oxygen
The lack of oxygen is another common issue that can lead to severe complications for a newborn. When a doctor has diagnosed a mother cephalopelvic disproportion, it would be wise to then make preparations for the possibility of performing a cesarean section. Failure to prepare an emergency cesarean section could mean that a newborn may become trapped in the birth canal. When this happens, a newborn could develop hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a form of brain injury that occurs because a child was deprived of oxygenated blood for an extended period of time.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia typically occurs because a baby’s arm becomes trapped in the birth canal. As a result, a baby’s arm could suffer severe nerve damage, which can make it difficult for a baby to control their arm.
There are several other injuries that may occur due to cephalopelvic disproportion. If you need to pursue a medical malpractice claim, our firm is ready to help you explore your legal options.
Contact Our Experienced Maryland Cephalopelvic Disproportion Attorneys Today
If you or your child was injured due to a birth injury complication, you should contact an experienced Maryland cephalopelvic disproportion attorney today. The legal team at Bennett & Heyman possess decades of combined legal experience, and we are prepared to offer you the legal representation that you deserve. To schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your legal options, contact Bennett & Heyman at (410) 429-7856.
