On behalf of Hartley Hampton, P.C. posted in Birth Injuries on Wednesday, July 3, 2013

 

When a vaginal birth is not possible, babies are delivered by cesarean section. Approximately 33 percent of all births in the United States are delivered by C-section, making it the most common surgery in the country. In most cases, doctors are able to deliver the babies safely.

However, because the surgery is performed by using a scalpel to remove the baby from the uterus, newborns are sometimes injured during the procedure. Most of the injuries are tiny cuts on the baby's body or face. In rare instances, though, accidental amputations of fingers and deep cuts occur. According to an obstetrician who has nicked a baby during a C-section, the accident can cause significant anxiety in a doctor. Birth injuries can cause an obstetrician to question themselves for the next 30 to 50 deliveries.

A new tool has been developed to reduce the likelihood of fetal lacerations during C-sections. The plastic device is call C SAFE. Doctors who use C SAFE are less likely to hurt babies because the blade faces upward, preventing doctors from accidentally cutting so deep that the baby is cut. According to the manufacturer, C SAFE should be available to local doctors by the end of 2013.

Parents of babies who are injured in birth accidents often experience a range of emotions. While they are excited to welcome their new baby into the world, they are faced with unexpected expenses related to their newborn's injury. Rather than shoulder the expensive medical treatment themselves, many new parents whose children were injured during a C-section choose to file a personal injury lawsuit to cover their expenses. An attorney with experience handling birth injury claims may be able to help parents file their claim and be compensated for the medical error.

Source: CBS Philly, "Health: New way to reduce risk of injuries at birth", Stephanie Stahl, June 26, 2013

Source: http://www.houstonmedicalmalpracticelawblog.com "Texas cesarean section deliveries will soon be safer"