Pregnancy is a joyful time, but it can also bring worries about your baby’s health. While signs of cerebral palsy during pregnancy can‘t be detected, your doctor should closely monitor your and your baby’s well-being.
Complications can arise during pregnancy, and it’s your doctor’s duty to address any medical issues that occur. If they fail to take proper action, it could lead to serious outcomes, such as cerebral palsy.
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and you believe it may be due to a medical mistake during your pregnancy or at birth, it’s important to seek legal guidance. A Phoenix cerebral palsy lawyer can help you understand your options and take steps to protect your child’s future.
Cerebral Palsy Risks in Pregnancy
Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by damage to an infant’s brain, affecting muscle tone, speech, and movement. This damage often occurs during delivery when trauma impacts the baby’s brain or restricts blood and oxygen flow.
Because symptoms are tied to developmental milestones, it can take months or even years to diagnose.
Although cerebral palsy can’t be diagnosed during pregnancy, certain factors can increase the risk of the condition:
- Infections: Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections like rubella, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, and urinary tract infections can harm both mother and baby. If untreated, these infections may lead to fevers that disrupt fetal development.
- Physical trauma: Any physical injury during pregnancy can impact the baby’s brain development.
- Illness: Conditions that affect the mother’s health can influence the baby’s development, increasing the risk of cerebral palsy.
If your child has been affected, a Phoenix birth injury lawyer can assist you in exploring your legal options.
Recognizing the Signs of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy symptoms can start to show in infancy, while others may not become noticeable until your child is a bit older. Here are some common signs to watch for:
- Trouble swallowing
- Imbalance in eye muscles
- Limited range of motion
- Muscle tone that seems too stiff or too limp
- Difficulty with balance and coordination
- Uncontrolled or involuntary movements
- Delays in reaching motor skill milestones like crawling or sitting up
- Favoring one side of the body, such as using only one hand or dragging a leg when crawling
If you observe any of these signs in your child, it’s important to reach out to your doctor right away. If you suspect these issues may be related to medical negligence, consulting with a doctor and birth injury negligence lawyer can help you explore your options.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Can Cerebral Palsy Develop After Birth?
While congenital cerebral palsy is more common, it’s possible for a child to develop acquired cerebral palsy after birth. This occurs due to brain damage happening more than 28 days after a baby is born.
A child may be born with normal brain function, but certain events during infancy can disrupt blood flow to the brain, leading to CP.
Some causes of acquired cerebral palsy include:
- Infection: Brain infections like meningitis or encephalitis can result in damage.
- Injury: Head trauma or injury in infancy can also lead to cerebral palsy.
- Stroke: Although rare in children, strokes caused by blood clotting issues or heart defects can reduce blood flow to the brain, resulting in CP.
If you suspect a medical issue might have caused your child’s condition, working with a birth injury attorney can help you understand your options.
Prenatal Care and Medical Malpractice
When a doctor-patient relationship is established, a medical professional is expected to provide the same level of care that another similarly trained doctor would offer under similar circumstances.
This expectation is especially important during pregnancy. If a healthcare provider fails to meet this standard, it may result in medical malpractice.
Contagious Diseases, Infections, and Medical Conditions
If a doctor overlooks or misdiagnoses a contagious disease, infection, or medical condition in a pregnant woman, it can put the baby at serious risk.
Conditions like high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes must be properly diagnosed and treated to prevent harm to the baby. If a lack of oxygen or other complications arise, brain damage could occur.
Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy, where the fetus develops in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus, poses significant risks to both mother and baby. This condition can lead to umbilical cord compression, depriving the baby’s brain of oxygen.
It is critical for doctors to recognize this condition early and take the necessary steps to protect both mother and child.
If you believe your prenatal care fell short, consulting with a birth injury lawyer can help you explore your legal options.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
How to Prove Prenatal Medical Malpractice
When preventable mistakes happen during pregnancy, causing harm to your child, it’s important to hold the responsible parties accountable. Prenatal medical malpractice cases can be challenging, but they are essential for seeking justice when care falls short.
There are signs that your prenatal care may not have met the accepted medical standards. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and you experienced any of the following during your pregnancy, it may be time to speak with an experienced Maryland medical malpractice lawyer:
- Did your doctor review your medical history, perform a physical exam, or discuss your lifestyle?
- Were you asked for updates on your medical history, including medications or recent diagnoses?
- Were routine tests, such as ultrasounds or stress tests, conducted during your pregnancy?
- Did your doctor explain the potential risks and complications you might face?
- Were any medical issues addressed promptly and professionally?
- Were you informed about how proper nutrition could impact your child’s health?
Our goal is to establish that your doctor or hospital failed in their duty of care, leading to your child’s condition. Depending on the specifics, your healthcare provider or the facility may be held responsible.
"Our Birth Injury Lawyers have recovered over $750+ Million on behalf of our clients."
The Importance of Consulting a Lawyer for Birth Injury Cases
If you suspect that medical malpractice or neglect may have contributed to your child’s condition, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Recognizing signs of cerebral palsy during pregnancy can be difficult, but understanding your rights and options is essential.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group has successfully recovered over $750 million for families affected by birth injuries. We can provide the guidance you need to explore your legal options and take appropriate action.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Birth Injury Lawyers Group. We are here to support you and your family through this difficult time, helping you pursue justice for your child’s future.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."