Baby Suffers Injury During Delivery After Mother Not Followed For Gestational Diabetes
One type of matter commonly encountered by a birth injury attorney involves an Erb’s palsy injury. This injury is the consequence of damage to the group of nerves in the infant’s shoulder which affect the shoulder, the arm and the hand. Sometimes the child will have to have surgery. Even with surgery, however, a number of babies will suffer irreversible harm to the arm.
When evaluating these cases an erbs palsy attorney takes into account several factors. One of the factors is if the physician had information indicating there could be problems in a vaginal delivery and took adequate actions to eliminate them.
In one documented case, for instance, the child’s mother had formerly delivered two additional children. The two had been large babies. The mother tested borderline for gestational diabetes in the fourth month of her pregnancy. She had disroportionate weight gain while in the pregnancy. The baby had been noted larger than expected at four months of pregnancy and to weigh in the 90th percentile. Her physicians scheduled her for induced vaginal labor to take place during her 40th week of pregnancy.
Once admitted to the hospital for the scheduled vaginal delivery a number of worrisome signs were detected. Yet, the physician did not attempt to examine the pregnant woman one last time for gestational diabetes or to calculate the baby’s weight prior to inducing her. The doctor did not change and do a C-section.
Hospital documents indicated that shoulder dystocia was found and that following delivery of the infant’s head, rather than attempt a commonly used procedure, the doctor instead used suprapubic pressure to assist in delivery. The infant weighed ten pounds 10 ounces at birth and had a head circumference in the 90th percentile. She suffered from Erb’s palsy. When she got older her arm atrophied from her inability to use it. She has developmental delays and she has cerebral palsy. The law firm that handled the case published that the matter settled for $900,000.
The above is not medical or legal advice. You ought to consult a physician immediately in the event you believe there is a complication with your pregnancy or your baby has a health issue. Consult a medical negligence attorney if you think your child was hurt due to an error by a doctor or other health care professional.