Medical Mistakes During the Delivery of Babies

A couple in Chicago received a $3.27 million verdict when a jury found their doctor liable for mistakes made during the birth of the couple's child. Their lawsuit alleged that the doctor never considered using a Caesarean section despite knowing that the baby was unusually large. The boy's birth weight was 11 pounds, 5 ounces. The boy's mother and father argued that the delivery doctor should have informed them of the risks of delivering a baby of that size and the possibility of using a C-section. Instead, the doctor proceeded without a C-section, and the boy's shoulder became stuck. When the doctor pulled to deliver the boy, he suffered permanent nerve damage to his right arm. Around the same time, another Illinois couple received a $9.5 million verdict when their doctor ordered a C-section too late, leading to cerebral palsy and spastic...

Fraternal Twins with Autism

According to researchers, twins have a greater risk of developing autism. Two studies, one in the United States and one in the United Kingdom, suggest that environmental factors may play a role. Prior studies showed that genetics play an important part in autism development, but the two recent studies say experiences in the womb are also involved.A spokesperson for the National Autistic Society said the results of the studies add to prior findings suggesting exposures in the womb contribute to autism development. The spokesperson added, however, that researchers have not found any specific prenatal exposures as contributory.The Two Autism Studies and Environmental FactorsIn one study, a Columbia University geneticist looked at families in which at least two siblings had autism. The researcher found that a significant number of identical...

The Risk of Cerebral Palsy Can Increase with Premature Birth

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that premature babies are at a higher risk for server disabilities, such as cerebral palsy. These disabilities can affect the physical, mental and social aspects of a child’s development, causing them life-long pain and suffering. It is just as important for pregnant women to be aware of the risks associated with premature birth and it is for a physician to monitor a pregnancy for signs of a premature birth. Careful monitoring of a pregnancy can help to identify the warning signs of a premature birth. Once the warning signs are identified, it is the job of the attending physician to take the appropriate actions in order to help prevent potential birth injuries. It is the responsibility of the medical staff to provide a reasonable level of care to both mother and child during a birth. This means that they are responsible for making sure that a delivery is conducted safely. If a mother, or child,...

Labor Induction Problems With Pitocin or Oxytocin

It’s not unusual for a doctor to choose to induce labor in a mother using pictocin, a synthetic hormone. There are several often very good reasons to induce labor. But recent research shows that it can also be very dangerous for the baby. In fact, if a medical team is the least bit inattentive while inducing labor, it can lead to serious birth trauma or a reduction of oxygen to the newborn resulting in brain damage and cerebral palsy. Here’s what happens. The medical team administers pictocin (or Oxycotin) to stimulate contractions to encourage the spontaneous onset of labor with the goal of a safe vaginal delivery of the baby. However, too much stimulation can create a hyperstimulation of the mother’s uterus. The uterine muscles contract too frequently or don’t relax between contractions which can result in a decrease of oxygenated blood from the mother’s placenta to the baby. Lack of oxygen is one of the most common causes of...