Childbirth is a natural process. For some women, the biggest challenge is getting to the hospital before the birth of their child. Medical professionals are simply there to provide support and address any emergencies that could occur, such as a sudden hemorrhage.
For others, labor may stall, leading to exhaustion and increased risk to both mother and child. Various other complications, such as a compressed umbilical cord or placenta previa, could endanger the mother or her unborn child.
When there appears to be risk to either party, medical professionals may choose to intervene. Obstetricians can perform cesarean sections to facilitate a healthy birth. They can also use medication to speed up delivery or tools to assist with the delivery process. In some cases, the inappropriate use of interventions can lead to preventable birth injuries.
Interventions can cause real damage
Some drugs administered during labor and delivery have dangerous side effects. There are even doctors who administer drugs not approved for use by pregnant women during labor.
Physical interventions can also be dangerous for the mother and the unborn child. The use of forceps may have a slightly lower risk of causing long-term developmental setbacks than vacuum-assisted deliveries, but the potential for injury is still there.
Doctors can damage the child’s facial muscles, injure the infant’s eyes or even cause damage to the neck and spine. Those injuries may necessitate more medical support during a child’s development.
In cases where inappropriate or poorly-administered interventions cause serious birth injuries, affected families may have the right to take legal action. Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit can provide compensation for those harmed by inappropriate obstetric care.
