Hypoxia, Birth Asphyxia, and Birth Injuries from Medical Malpractice

There are two major types of birth injuries that an infant can receive during the birth process; injuries from trauma and injuries from lack of oxygen to the brain. A lack of oxygen to the brain is known as birth asphyxia or hypoxia.  Depending on how extensive the damage is from birth asphyxia, the results can be minor to severe.

Because of the dangers of birth asphyxia, it is critical that asphyxia be corrected as soon as possible during the birthing process.  This is where the use of a fetal heart rate monitor is important.  The fetal heart rate monitor measures the baby's heart rate during labor.  If a medical emergency occurs, such as a rupture of the uterus or compression of the umbilical cord during labor or delivery, the fetal heart rate monitor can alert the medical staff that the baby is being starved of blood and oxygen so they can take immediate action to prevent permanent damage to the baby. 

An infant who is experiencing birth asphyxia must receive medical attention immediately.  This may require that a C-section or cesarean section be performed.  It is critical that a C-section be performed immediately as permanent damage can occur to a baby within 17 minutes of severe birth asphyxia.  If the problem is not corrected, the baby may suffer severe and permanent injuries to the brain, heart, lung, and kidneys.  Birth asphyxia can also lead to permanent paralysis, including cerebral palsy, or even death.

Causes of birth asphyxia:

• Very long or complicated birth process
• Compression or prolapse of the umbilical cord during labor or delivery
• Rupture of the uterus
• Insufficient oxygen in the mother's blood during the birth process
• The infant has anemia
• Blood pressure in the mother that is either too high or too low
• Infant's airway is blocked

Birth asphyxia symptoms:

• Low heart rate
• The baby's breathing is weak
• Pressure on the umbilical cord
• The mother's blood pressure is low

Although birth asphyxia problems happen infrequently; occurring in less than 5% of births, sometimes doctors, nurses, and medical staff negligently fail to recognize the symptoms or act in time to prevent serious and permanent injuries from happening.  Sometimes the doctors or hospitals refuse to perform a C-section when necessary.

If you or someone you care about experienced a birth injury from medical negligence, you may have a medical malpractice case.  Contact the Law Offices of Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates right away for a free consultation.  Dr. Bruce Fagel is both a leading medical malpractice lawyer and a licensed medical doctor.  So he understands exactly how the birth process should happen and where medical malpractice occurred resulting in a birth injury.