Negligent C-Sections: Portland Birth Injury Lawyers Can Help

OB-GYN Track Record Explained by our Portland Birth Injury Lawyers

 

The American Medical Association (“AMA”) has determined that by age 55, one in two doctors are sued. The AMA has also recently found that OB-GYN doctors, alongside surgeons, are at the highest risk of being sued for medical malpractice. A whopping 63 percent of OB-GYN doctors have been sued, in comparison to 18% of pediatrician doctors. The longer an OB-GYN doctor practices, the higher the likelihood that they will get sued. Moreover, in those medical malpractice claims decided by a trial verdict, 88 percent were successfully arbitrated and the defendants won. Our Portland birth injury lawyers in Oregon are ready to fight for you to win too.

 

What C-sections are and reasons for getting one

 

A C-section, short for a Cesarean section, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a surgical delivery of a baby, through making incisions in the uterus and abdomen. This is when a vaginal delivery is not preferred or an option, due to safety. Frequently, the need for a C-section is not something planned ahead of time—rather, it is a last-minute decision that is made due to a danger to the baby that will occur if a C-section is not performed. Many times, when C-sections are planned in advance, it is to avoid unforeseen complications to either or both the mother and baby or for personal reasons. C-sections are becoming increasingly commonplace in the United States: about 1 in 3 women have C-sections today. 

 

Some reasons for having a C-section are:

 

• Birth defects will occur otherwise
• Gestational diabetes—baby is at higher risk of being larger, causing delivery complications
• Preeclampsia, or high blood pressure during pregnancy—can cause the placenta to not get enough blood, limiting oxygen to the baby
• Cord prolapse—the baby’s umbilical cord is trapped around the baby’s body
• Placental abruption—when placenta separates from uterus too early
• Breech position—baby is in a position that they could not safely be vaginally delivered
• Placenta previa—baby’s placenta covers mother’s entire cervix, causing bleeding throughout pregnancy
• Fetal distress—baby is not receiving enough oxygen, for example
• Mother has a serious health condition, such as a heart or brain condition 
• Genital herpes, HIV, or other that may pass on to the baby
• Twins, triplets, other multiples, that make vaginal delivery mechanically difficult
• Embarrassment of giving vaginal birth in front of others
• Not wanting vaginal tear
• Previous C-section—several C-sections increase the risk of placenta problems and heavy bleeding, which may require removal of the uterus, also known as a hysterectomy  
• Prior surgery on uterus

 

Risks of having a C-section to the mother

Just like any other surgical procedure, C-sections carry risks. Our Portland birth injury lawyers can assist you if you or your baby has been injured because of a negligently carried out C-section. Risks to the mother include:

 

• Negative reactions to anesthesia, such as to the medicine itself, as well as nausea, vomiting, and headache
• Amniotic fluid embolism – some of the baby’s fluid gets in to your lungs, which can affect your heart and result in death
• Life threatening blood clots, requiring you to receive a blood transfusion
• Infection of the wound, uterus, or other pelvic organ
• Surgical injury to the bowel or bladder, which requires further surgery
• Postpartum hemorrhage, or heavy bleeding during and after delivery
• Risks to future pregnancies, such as problems with placenta placement
• Risk of longer hospital stay than if vaginal delivery took place
• Death, although rare, can occur

 

Risks of having a C-section to the baby

 

Similarly, C-sections pose numerous risks to the baby. Risks to the baby include:

 

• Tachypnea, a breathing problem where the baby exhibits rapid breathing for the first few years of life and requires monitoring thereafter
• Accidental nicks during incision, causing damage to skin and organs, potentially
• Sluggishness or inactiveness due to the anesthesia 
• Premature birth and low weight, if procedure is done before 39 weeks. Babies need at least 39 weeks to fully form and develop.
• If the C-section is delayed when shown to be necessary to the doctor, cerebral palsy can develop due to a lack of oxygen

 

With this long litany of many severe risks to both the mother and baby, there is much room for error on the part of the doctor—possibly why OB-GYNs are the highest sued doctors in the country, alongside surgeons. 

 

Ask our Portland Birth Injury Lawyers for Help Today

 

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

 

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

 

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.