Delayed Caesareans Can Cause Infant Brain Damage or Death

When you are having a child, you try to prepare for everything: getting the baby’s room ready, putting together the crib, gathering toys and clothes, and packing your hospital bag. You want to make sure you have everything you need for the big day. And when the big day finally arrives, you put your trust in the hands of the doctor and medical staff of the hospital.

Usually everyone goes home happy and healthy, but sometimes things do not go as expected. Every year in the United States about seven out of every 1,000 births result in a birth injury.

When a c-section isn’t performed in time

There are too many tragic stories about parents suffering loss due to a delayed caesarean section (C-section). This delay can cause severe birth injuries or even death. For example, a case involving British actor Jamie King was recently in the news after his son died from brain damage only a few days after his birth in Bath, England. An investigation showed the infant likely died from lack of oxygen due to a delayed C-section.

A similar case in the States recently settled when a child suffered catastrophic brain damage after the placenta detached from the uterus, depriving the fetus of oxygen. The plaintiffs claimed a C-section was not performed in a timely manner even though the baby was in distress. In many cases, these types of birth injuries are avoidable, which makes them all the more tragic.

Why does treatment and delivery get delayed?

Typically treatment is delayed due to human error. A recent study showed the main reasons for delay included:

• Nurses did not recognize or identify patterns of metabolic academia (sign of fetal distress)
• Nurses did recognize patterns of metabolic academia but did not notify a physician
• Physicians did not go to the hospital when called
• Physicians aware of fetal heart rate issues did not make timely decisions to perform C-sections
• Caesarean sections were ordered but then delayed (no OR and/or staff available)
• Physicians disagreed with nurses’ findings
• Birth injuries due to undetermined causes

As you can see, several factors can contribute to a delayed C-section and result in a birth injury or even the death of your newborn. Is it possible this terrible event could have been avoided?

If you think your child’s birth injury was preventable, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we can answer your questions, and provide support and advice you can trust. We serve clients throughout Tennessee, and have offices in Memphis and Jackson. Please call us today at 901-680-9777 or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation.