A medical mistake during labor or delivery can alter a child's life forever. Mistakes made by physicians and hospitals range from improper monitoring of health problems in the mother to improper fetal monitoring during labor and excessive pulling during a vaginal birth. Such errors may leave a baby with permanent brain damage, mental retardation, cerebral palsy or partial paralysis.

When a mother suffers from hypertension, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia or diabetes, her condition must be carefully monitored. If the flow of blood, and therefore oxygen, to the placenta is reduced or cut off, the baby must be delivered by cesarean section immediately to help prevent epilepsy, cerebral palsy and other problems.

Complications may also arise when a physician opts for vaginal delivery of a large baby. The condition of very high birth weight, known as fetal macrosomia, is related to maternal diabetes. If a vaginal delivery is attempted and the baby is too large for the birth canal, the head and shoulders may be pulled too forcefully, which can lead to a condition known as shoulder dystocia, a paralysis known as brachial plexus paralysis or a condition called Erb's palsy.

When a vaginal delivery is prolonged or difficult, the physician may use forceps or vacuum extraction to hurry the process along. If forceps are used improperly, the baby may suffer from facial paralysis or intracranial bleeding. An improperly executed vacuum-extraction birth may result in nerve damage, bleeding of the eyes or within the skull, brain swelling and hemorrhaging.

Fetal monitoring can help medical staff determine whether the supply of blood and oxygen to the baby is adequate. Severe restriction or cessation of the flow of blood and oxygen flow may mean that the umbilical cord has become wrapped around the baby's neck. Failure to closely monitor the results and failure to quickly deliver the baby by cesarean section can lead to such serious and devastating injuries as permanent brain damage and cerebral palsy.

The medical expenses associated with caring for a child who has been hurt during birth as a result of medical negligence can easily run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is unlikely that a child with severe brain injuries will be able to work when he or she reaches adulthood. Providing a financially secure future for their child is a daunting task for the parents.

The lawyers of The Lowe Law Firm are experienced in helping families injured by medical negligence. We will seek compensation for past and future medical expenses, past and future wages, pain and suffering, disability and other damages. We also represent family members in wrongful death cases.

To learn more, visit our Missouri Injury Lawyer Blog.

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