Delivery by cesarean, or C-section, has become increasingly common in the United States. In fact, one in three women deliver their baby via C-section. Although relatively commonplace, a C-section is a form of surgery and this serious procedure does not come without equally serious risks. You may have a cesarean delivery scheduled as part of your birth plan or it may come as a necessity when complications arise during labor. In either scenario, understanding what can go wrong is imperative. Doctors make mistakes during C-section birth that can result in significant harm to you or your child. You can learn more about the most dangerous preventable errors that occur during C-sections below. If you have questions related to your specific surgical delivery and resulting injuries, get help today by calling (866)-708-8617.
Preventable Errors during C-Section Delivery
Waiting Too Long to Perform a C-Section
Ordering a C-section at the appropriate time is absolutely necessary to protect the well-being of both mother and child. Sometimes, risk factors such as the proportion of the mother’s hips to the baby’s head, the overall size of the baby, the position that the baby is in, or the mother or baby’s blood pressure, will indicate the need for an emergency C-section. Failing to recognizing these signs or waiting too long to respond to them can be dangerous, if not deadly.
Additionally, once a C-section has been ordered, the amount of time that elapses between the doctor’s determination and the actual procedure is critical. Failing to take timely action to perform a C-section or waiting too long to deliver the child during the surgery itself can result in permanent harm for the newborn or the mom.
Even a few minutes can spell the difference between a healthy baby and a serious, permanent birth injury. One of the biggest risks of delaying a C-section is infant distress, which occurs when the baby is not receiving adequate oxygen. Lack of oxygen to the brain can quickly result in irreversible brain damage, a precursor for life-long conditions such as Cerebral Palsy.
Damaging Other Organs
A C-section is surgery, and surgery inevitably involves cutting. While cutting into the uterus is necessary to successfully perform a cesarean delivery, doctors always run the risk of cutting into the organs surrounding the surgical site. With the proximity of the uterus to other major organs like the bladder and bowels, damaging these organs is one of the most common serious mistakes that doctors make when performing C-sections.
When a doctor cuts into your bowels or bladder, the risk of complications skyrockets. If the lacerated organ is identified and addressed immediately, your prognosis is better, but the recovery from the procedure will still be longer and more arduous. You may need additional surgery to address ongoing issues, such as a leaking bladder or leaky bowel syndrome. You may also suffer a serious infection, which is explained in greater detail below.
Infection Caused by C-Section
Infection is among the most common complications caused by C-section mistakes. For example, the bowel contains toxic substances that must remain inside of it to prevent infecting the entire abdomen. When a doctor lacerates your bowel by accident, these substances can spill into the abdominal cavity, causing a massive infection that endangers your life. Other frequent errors that give rise to complications from a C-section involve infection at the surgical site or while the womb is open. Failing to properly perform the surgery is a preventable mistake that doctors make too often, with the potential for devastating results.
Leaving a Foreign Object in the Mother’s Body
C-sections require a variety of tools, including sponges, clamps, and scalpels. Leaving a foreign object inside of the mother’s womb during a cesarean should never occur, but it does. If the doctors and nurses involved in the procedure fail to notice an item left in your body before closing, you may not be aware of what’s happened for months until you begin suffering unexplained symptoms. Removing the foreign object and repairing the damage it caused can require additional surgery and prolonged rehabilitation, costing thousands of dollars and negatively affecting your quality of life.
Negligence after a C-Section
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers must be aware of the the possible complications after a C-section delivery and provide proper postoperative care to you and your baby. For instance, a mother’s risk of blood clots is significantly higher if her baby is delivered via cesarean. After having a C-section, you should be encouraged to facilitate blood flow as soon as possible with regular movement. You may also be provided with special bands to wear on your legs and be checked several times for blood pressure abnormalities.
A blood clot is always dangerous but it may become fatal if it detaches and travels to your heart in what is known as a pulmonary embolism, or lodges in your brain resulting in a stroke. If you develop a blood clot after a C-section birth, the unfortunate reality is that it may be due to a doctor or nurse’s negligence. If failure to provide adequate care after a major surgery like a C-section leads to serious harm, this is considered medical malpractice.
Contact a New Jersey C-Section Malpractice Lawyer to Find out Your Rights
If you delivered a child via C-section and suspect that a doctor’s mistakes were to blame, it is highly advisable to seek knowledgeable legal counsel about your possible options. Our experienced New Jersey C-section injury attorneys can advise you of your rights if you have suffered harm due to a healthcare provider’s negligence. We represent victims in birth-related medical malpractice claims throughout New Jersey and can examine the circumstances of your C-section to reveal errors that may give rise to a lawsuit. Call (866)-708-8617 or send us a message to receive a free case evaluation.