If you’re one of many Illinois families who are expecting or have recently had a baby this year, congratulations are in order. Pregnancy, labor, delivery and post-partum days are exciting yet stressful times for expectant mothers and their families. Whether it’s your first child or you have given birth to several others in the past, each experience is unique, and there are risks involved that may result in birth injuries.
Your medical team has the task of helping you and your baby stay safe, especially during the birthing process. The obstetrics and gynecology industry operates under stringent protocol and accepted safety standards. When you entrust your and your baby’s care to medical professionals, you can expect them to provide quality care in accordance with state laws.
Medical teams know how to avoid birth injuries
During pregnancy and childbirth, doctors and nurses closely monitor the health of a mother and infant. Numerous factors, such as pre-existing adverse health conditions, your age, the size of your baby and more, may affect the birthing process and may compel your physician to order certain tests or to recommend a C-section delivery if necessary to keep you and your child safe.
Medical negligence often causes injuries
The following list shows numerous birth injuries that often occur in Illinois birthing centers and hospitals, as well as other medical facilities throughout the country:
- Bruising or swelling of an infant’s head
- Facial nerve injuries
- Fractured clavicle or collarbone
- Bleeding under a cranial bone
- Injuries from vacuum or forceps delivery
If the obstetrician providing your care determines that a vaginal delivery would not be safe for you or your infant, he or she may recommend a C-section. Sometimes, doctors make this determination in an emergency after attempting a vaginal delivery, but problems have arisen to place a mother or baby at risk. Negligence on the part of any medical team member may result in a birth injury.
Post partum care for mother and baby
If your infant suffers a birth injury in an Illinois medical facility, the joy you would normally have experienced at his or her birth may turn to sorrow, anxiety or fear and, perhaps, anger or frustration, especially if you believe medical negligence caused the injuries that occurred. Getting your child the treatment he or she needs to achieve as full a recovery as possible is a top priority.
Sadly, many birth injuries have far-reaching, long-term effects, perhaps even permanent consequences. Your child deserves the best care possible, which is why state law allows a parent or guardian of an infant to seek restitution on a child’s behalf by filing a medical negligence claim in a civil court.
