Although very common, a caesarean section is still a form of surgery, and with it comes a variety of risks. The risks are not just for the mother, but also for the newborn, who may suffer injuries or need extra attention from medical staff following the procedure.
Symptoms of newborns’ injuries suffered during a C-section:
- Breathing issues such as breathing too fast or working too hard to breathe
- Grunting, flared nostrils, or a blueish color around the lips
- Visible cuts or scratches on the newborn
- Bleeding, swelling, or possible infection around a wound
- Unusual swelling or bruising
- Decreased movement in hands and arms or obvious signs of pain when moving
Causes of C-section injuries in a newborn
Several factors can cause problems during a C-section. While those issues aren’t always preventable, staff must be prepared to respond correctly and quickly. Early-term delivery (37–38 weeks) has been linked to respiratory problems in newborns. If a non-necessary C-section is scheduled too early, it puts the baby at risk of suffering from breathing issues or severe brain injuries from oxygen deprivation.
On the flip side, if a C-section is delayed too long or not ordered in time, it puts the baby at risk for seizures, oxygen deprivation, and more.
C-sections that are done without the mother being in labor greatly increase the risk of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). During emergency situations, there may be signs of fetal distress or infection concerns. The baby may be in an awkward position or be very large, which puts physical stress on the baby, causing injuries.
In very rare cases, the newborn may be cut by the doctor while an incision is being made in the mother for the C-section.
Serious injuries that happen to a newborn during a C-section
Many of the major newborn injuries associated with a C-section involve breathing problems. Those can include Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) and TTN.
Potentially life-threatening, PPHN happens when the lungs fail to relax after birth, causing dangerously low oxygen levels. In some cases, the problem doesn’t improve with oxygen being delivered to the baby. RDS is typically associated with premature births and can cause major health issues in newborns. RDS can trigger oxygen deprivation that can lead to a wide range of long-term health problems and in some cases, be fatal.
Other serious C-section injuries include lacerations during the incision on the mother, fractures, nerve injury, or bleeding complications suffered during the extraction of the baby.
Just because C-sections are common doesn’t guarantee staff will always properly care for you or your newborn. Mistakes can be made, and the health of your baby may be permanently altered because of them.
If you underwent a C-section and believe your baby was injured during or before the procedure by medical mistakes, you need to contact Weisser Law today. Our nursing experts have decades of experience in delivery rooms and know precisely what to look for when reviewing medical records to make sure you and your newborn were treated correctly.
With over 50 years of combined experience in Florida courtrooms, Weisser Law is uniquely positioned to put pressure on insurance companies to offer fair, realistic settlements. We have the strength and knowledge necessary to take down the big companies when they’ve wronged you or your family. Contact Weisser Law today, where compassion guides our work, but results define us.