Washington DC Emergency C-Section

The difference between the birth of a healthy baby and one with a serious birth injury often comes down to a matter of seconds. Sometimes, the doctors and delivery room staff have to take quick action in response to complications or other issues that threaten the health or life of the mother or child.

One of those actions can be an emergency C-section. If the decision to perform an emergency C-section isn’t made, or if there is unreasonable delay in delivering the baby, tragedy can strike. When birth injuries or health problems result from the failure to perform a timely emergency C-section, the Washington DC birth injury lawyers at The Rich Firm, PC can help.

When is an Emergency C-Section Necessary?

A Caesarian section is a surgical procedure used as an alternative to vaginal delivery of a baby. Often, C-sections are scheduled well in advance of a due date, either because of known medical concerns or other reasons. But there are also situations when the decision to perform a C-section is made as the mother is in labor and a vaginal delivery was anticipated.

The conditions that lead to the consideration of an emergency C-section can appear suddenly and unexpectedly, requiring quick decisions and actions by the attending medical personnel. Complications where an emergency C-section may be recommended include:

• prolonged labor, including the inability of the baby to pass through the birth canal
• fetal distress
• oxygen deprivation, including anoxia and hypoxia
• placental abruption

All of the foregoing, if not addressed immediately, can result in severe birth injuries or death. Brain damage, cerebral palsy, and developmental challenges are just a few of the lifelong consequences of a failure to perform an emergency C-section when a baby isn’t getting oxygen or is otherwise in distress. In these situations, every second matters.

Another condition that may necessitate Caesarean section is known as placenta previa, and is usually characterized by painless bleeding in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. In placenta previa, the placenta covers the opening of the mother’s cervix, which can lead to heavy blood loss and other health problems if the child is not delivered immediately.

Failure to Perform an Emergency C-Section Can Be Medical Malpractice

When doctors and delivery room staff fail to properly monitor the fetus and miss signs of distress, or when the labor is allowed to continue too long, the baby can suffer life-changing injuries or die during childbirth. These failures, which can result in an emergency C-section being performed too late or not being performed at all, can be the basis of a medical malpractice or birth injury claim.

If either you or your child suffered injuries or your child passed away as a result of a failure to perform a timely emergency C-section, The Rich Firm, PC, birth injury attorneys serving Washington DC, can help. Several of our attorneys are also medical doctors who can in many cases very quickly evaluate whether your doctor was negligent, saving you the months and expenses normally associated with expert review of your case.

Getting Legal Help with Your Washington DC Emergency C-Section

We are committed to the well-being of our clients and fight tirelessly to get them the compensation and justice they deserve. For experienced and aggressive legal representation in the Maryland, Virginia, or Washington DC areas, please give our Washington DC birth injury lawyers a call at 888-RICH-LAW (742-4529) to set up your free consultation or contact us online. We look forward to assisting you.