Why do birth injuries occur?

Not every pregnancy is plain sailing, while some women appear to glow throughout their 9-10 months, others struggle with morning sickness, huge discomfort and pain every step of the way. Every pregnancy is different, and whether it was a rough ride or a perfectly enjoyable experience, every mother deserves to experience.  a birth that is safe, supported and in an environment where they can bring their child into the world without worrying about danger, or potential complications.

Sadly, for some mothers they aren’t granted that right. And what should have been the happiest moment of their lives is now marred by an overwhelmingly distressing. scenario, pain, life changing injuries – click here for a cerebral palsy lawyer Honolulu for further information – and in some extreme cases, death.

There are many reasons why birth injuries occur. And the possible scenarios are extensive to say the least. However, whether it was one mistake that caused an injury or a catalogue of errors that has led to a terrible outcome, you’ll find some examples of why birth injuries occur below.

Miscarriages and stillbirths

This kind of neonatal death is incredibly distressing. No matter how far along you carried your child. There are many reasons why a miscarriage or a stillbirth can occur, however where negligence played a part or is the direct cause of the death, then a case could be filed. Poor antenatal monitoring throughout pregnancy and failure to recognise fetal distress are common examples.

Failure to identify an infection

A maternal infection is incredibly dangerous for the mother and the unborn baby. If it goes unidentified, it can cause all kinds of birthing complications and in many cases can lead to the death of the infant. Even something like a UTI can lead to maternal sepsis or blood poisoning so this should be monitored and prioritised.

Lack of screening during pregnancy 

Many women are offered the chance to have their babies screened for conditions such as Down Syndrome, heart defects and other developmental issues. If these screens are done incorrectly, or not at all then a personal injury case could be filed.

Mismanagement during birth

During the birth, the mother and baby should be monitored closely. If the team fails to recognise the signs of distress from the mother and the baby, then serious injuries or even death can occur.

Injuries caused as a direct result of mishandling the birth

If your baby was deprived of oxygen during birth, or the option to have a C-section was missed or not considered until it was too late, fractured bones occurred, brain damage, nerve damage and other issues then it is often a direct result of a mishandled birth.