The maternal factors that can increase the high-risk births that may cause a need for resuscitation may include:
- The mother smoking or drinking while pregnant
- A genetic disorder that causes birth defects
- Some sort of injury to the womb
- Multiple gestations (having twins, triplets, etc.)
Your doctor should be able to give you information on any maternal factors that may put your pregnancy at risk, as well as advice on what actions to take to have the highest chance of giving birth to a healthy baby.
While some maternal causes of high-risk births are unpreventable, other times, high-risk births and the injuries they may cause may be the result of doctor negligence. In cases like these, the family may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the responsible party.
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Factors That Make a High-Risk Birth
Sometimes, a pregnant woman will have a risky pregnancy because of actions they choose to take while pregnant, which ends up placing the baby in distress during the delivery, after the birth, or both. Other times, though, the mother may do everything right during pregnancy, but an unknown genetic problem leaves the baby in trouble and requiring resuscitation after birth.
Reducing Risk in Pregnancy
Some of the actions a mother can take to reduce her risk of having a baby that will be born with health problems may include:
- Seeing a doctor early in the pregnancy, continuing to see a doctor during the pregnancy, and following his or her advice.
- Being careful with any medications taken, including over the counter medications.
- Avoiding drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes or marijuana, or taking illegal drugs.
- Seeing a doctor immediately if you believe you have any kind of infection.
- Avoiding exposure to harmful chemicals.
Women who become pregnant at an older age or who have family histories of babies with birth defects may also be more likely to have a high-risk birth.
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Premature Births and Resuscitation
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 10 births in the United States in 2018 involved a baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy were completed. This is known as a preterm or premature birth.
Premature babies may need resuscitation immediately after birth if their lungs are not yet fully developed. Newborn resuscitation may involve:
- Positive airway pressure using a CPAP
- Chest compressions or CPR
- Intubation, which may include placing a breathing tube in the baby’s trachea and connecting it to a ventilator machine to breathe for the baby
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Medical Malpractice Can Cause Birth Injuries
Although some high-risks births that may cause a need for resuscitation are related to maternal factors that are beyond a doctor’s control, other times, birth injuries may be caused by doctor negligence.
This could include negligent actions such as:
- Failing to detect and treat a maternal infection
- Failing to screen for a difficult delivery and taking steps for a safer alternative, such as a delivery by cesarian section (C-section)
- Cutting off a child’s oxygen supply during delivery
- Injuring a child with excessive force during a difficult delivery
Doctor negligence can also occur during the child’s resuscitation if a procedure was performed incorrectly and complications or new injuries develop.
If a doctor’s negligence caused your child’s injury during prenatal care, delivery, or post-delivery care and treatment, they may be liable for your damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
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How a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Works
A medical malpractice lawsuit alleges that a doctor failed to provide a reasonable level of care, injuring the patient, and that had another doctor been in charge, the injuries would have been prevented. Sometimes, these cases require an expert medical witness to review the facts and testify that malpractice occurred.
Depending on your state’s medical malpractice laws, establishing the responsible party’s liability may allow you to recover damages such as:
- Costs of current and future medical bills
- Lost wages for either parent who stops working to care for the child
- Pain and suffering
- And more
You may be able to file a medical malpractice claim or lawsuit on your own, or you may be able to have a lawyer represent you.
Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group Today
If you believe a doctor’s negligence led to the distress your baby had after delivery, the Birth Injury Lawyers Group may be able to help you. We represent families in medical malpractice lawsuits nationwide and can handle all of the legal work in your case when we represent you.
Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529 for a free consultation on your case with a member of our team. We represent clients on a contingency-fee basis with no advanced payments required.
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