Nassau County Breech Delivery Complications

There are two options for delivery a baby: vaginal delivery-also referred to as “natural” delivery, and cesarean section- also referred to as a c-section delivery. When a baby is delivered through a vaginal delivery, the mother pushed the baby through the birth canal. Ideally the baby baby’s head is delivered first. If the baby’s feet or buttocks are positioned to deliver first, the baby is in a breech position. While a baby that is in breech position can be successfully delivered vaginally, the baby is more likely suffer a birth injury. For example, babies delivered in a breech position often suffer damage in the hip area. In addition, breech position can lead to a brain injury or to some other type of trauma to the baby’s head. However, if a baby is in a breech presentation and the medical staff takes quick, appropriate action such as performing a c-section delivery, then serious complications such as a spinal cord injury, birth hypoxia, or some other type of personal injury to the mother or baby may be avoided. In the same way that a victim of a car accident or some other type of serious accident can seek damages from the person who caused the accident, New York law allows victims of negligent medical professionals to seek damages as well. If you or your baby suffered a serious injury as a result of complications from a breech delivery, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Nassau County Breech Delivery Complications Injury Lawyer who will help you pursue compensation for your injuries and your child’s injuries through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

A breech presentation is characterized by the baby’s head being up, not by the feet necessarily being down. In some cases the feet are positioned to be delivered first while in other cases the buttocks are positioned to be delivered first. There are different types of breech presentations.

• Frank breech. When a baby is in a frank breech position the baby’s buttocks are pointed toward the birth canal and the legs are sticking straight up in front of the baby’s body.
• Complete breech. When a baby is in a complete breech position the baby’s buttocks are pointed toward the birth canal and the legs are folded at the knees.
• Footling breech. One or both of the baby’s feet is pointed toward the birth canal and will deliver first.

When a breech position is diagnosed the doctor will typically have three options: try to turn the baby into the proper head first position; perform a breech delivery; deliver the baby by c-section. Generally, a c-section is considered to be the safest option. If a breech presentation is not managed properly, dangerous complications may occur resulting in the baby suffering serious, potentially life-threatening injuries including:

• Compressed umbilical cord: The umbilical becomes compressed by the baby’s body cutting off the baby’s oxygen and blood supply. The medical staff must deliver the baby immediately to avoid a brain injury.
• Umbilical cord wrapped around baby’s neck. If the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck, the baby may not receive the proper amount of oxygen and as result suffer a serious injury.
• Fetal distress. The stress and pressure of a breech delivery can cause the baby’s heart rate to fluctuate or decelerate leading to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
• Spinal cord injury. A cervical spinal cord injury may occur if the baby has a hyperextended head.

Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional such as an obstetrician, nurse, or other healthcare professional fails to take reasonable care and as a result the patient suffers an injury. Thus, if a doctor fails to appropriately respond to baby who is in a breech position, and as a result you or your baby are injured, New York law allows you to hold that doctor and other medical professionals legally and financially liable through a medical malpractice claim

The negligent party may be required to compensate you for your medical bills and your baby’s medical bills related to the injuries suffered because of the medical mistake. In addition, if as a result of your injury you end up missing a work, your damages could include compensation for the income you lost. The court may also award damages based on the physical and mental anguish you experienced from your injuries and recovery.

If you suspect that you or your baby was injured because your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional made a medical error related to a breech delivery, do not hesitate to immediately contact an experienced birth injury attorney. The staff at Stephen Bilkis and Associates is experienced in successfully representing clients who have suffered injuries due to mistakes made by medical professionals, as well as those injured in car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents, and other types of accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.