Oxygen Deprivation Injury Lawyer

Oxygen deprivation during birth is due to such birth complications as a breech birth, a placental abruption, a uterine rupture, umbilical cord compression, a prolapsed umbilical cord, or when the umbilical cord becomes wrapped around the baby’s neck. Decreased oxygen may also occur when a mother’s oxygen level or blood pressure is low.

Inadequate oxygen levels can decrease a newborn’s blood pressure, heart rate, and blood flow away from the heart, limiting the blood flow to vital organs and tissue. When this happens, irreversible neurological or cellular damage can occur. In fact, one of the most serious health problems that can result from a lack of oxygen to the infant’s brain during childbirth is Cerebral Palsy, a neurological disorder characterized by poor muscle coordination and movement. Many children who have Cerebral Palsy suffered from hypoxia or asphyxia during birth due to a mistake that was made and/or medical malpractice. Some of the mistakes that can lead to the condition include a failure to detect the signs that there is or could be a problem and plan for an alternative course that is safer for the baby, such as a cesarean section. For example, if the baby is too large to pass through the birth canal or suffers from an infection, it is often best for the medical providers to avoid facilitating a vaginal birth. In addition, medical professionals can sometimes cause damage to the baby by using specific instruments incorrectly.