Umbilical cord-related birth injuries are relatively rare but can have significant consequences for both the newborn and the mother. The umbilical cord plays a crucial role in supplying oxygen and nutrients to the fetus during pregnancy. Umbilical cord complications during labor and delivery especially due to the negligence (carelessness) of the medical staff can lead to various birth injuries.
Common Umbilical Cord-Related Birth Injuries
It is the responsibility of medical professionals to monitor the condition of the fetus and the mother and make decisions that reduce or eliminate a risky delivery. If your child has suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence (carelessness), then he or she may be able to receive compensation that helps pay for medical expenses, lost income, cost of therapy, future treatments, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
Here are some of the common umbilical cord-related complications.
- Umbilical Cord Prolapse: Umbilical cord prolapse occurs when the cord slips through the cervix ahead of the baby, becoming compressed between the baby’s head and the birth canal. This compression can disrupt blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus, leading to oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) and potential brain damage. Umbilical cord prolapse is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate intervention, typically through an emergency cesarean section to deliver the baby quickly and prevent further complications.
- Umbilical Cord Compression: During labor and delivery, the umbilical cord may become compressed or flattened, reducing or obstructing blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus. Cord compression can occur due to various factors, including the baby’s position, umbilical cord length, or excessive uterine contractions. Prolonged cord compression can result in fetal distress, indicated by abnormal heart rate patterns on fetal monitoring. Prompt medical intervention, such as changing the mother’s position or administering oxygen, may alleviate cord compression and prevent fetal complications.
- Umbilical Cord Knot:Â In some cases, the umbilical cord may develop a knot while the fetus is moving in the womb. A true knot forms when the cord loops around itself, potentially tightening during labor and delivery. Although most umbilical cord knots are harmless, severe tightening can compromise blood flow and oxygen delivery to the fetus, leading to fetal distress or stillbirth. Umbilical cord knots are typically diagnosed through prenatal ultrasound scans, and obstetricians may monitor fetal well-being closely during labor if a knot is detected.
- Umbilical Cord Stricture:Â Umbilical cord stricture refers to a narrowing or constriction of the umbilical cord, which can restrict blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus. This condition may occur due to abnormalities in cord development or compression from surrounding structures in the womb. Umbilical cord stricture can lead to fetal growth restriction, intrauterine fetal demise (stillbirth), or complications during labor and delivery. Obstetricians may diagnose umbilical cord stricture through prenatal ultrasound imaging and monitor fetal well-being closely during pregnancy.
- Umbilical Cord Entanglement: Umbilical cord entanglement occurs when the cord becomes wrapped around the baby’s body or limbs, potentially leading to complications during labor and delivery. While mild entanglements may resolve spontaneously or pose minimal risk, severe entanglements can result in cord compression, oxygen deprivation, or umbilical cord accidents. Obstetricians can detect cord entanglement through prenatal ultrasound scans and monitor fetal movements and heart rate patterns during labor to assess for signs of distress.
- Umbilical Cord Rupture: Umbilical cord rupture is a rare but serious complication that involves a tear or breakage in the umbilical cord, leading to abrupt cessation of blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus. Cord rupture may occur spontaneously or as a result of external trauma during labor, such as excessive traction or manipulation. Umbilical cord rupture can result in fetal distress, hypoxia, and emergency cesarean delivery to prevent adverse outcomes. Obstetricians can monitor fetal heart rate patterns and intervene promptly if signs of cord compromise are detected during labor.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
The costs of caring for a child with birth injuries can add up very quickly. If your child’s injury was caused by medical negligence (carelessness), you may be able to seek compensation for damages including loss of earnings, medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, ongoing treatment and therapies, psychological counseling, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
The experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. One of our clients secured a $2,850,000 verdict that was reduced by the appeals court to $1,846,000 because the verdict was so large. This was the highest amount upheld by the appellate (appeals) courts for many, many years. In addition we recovered $1,400,000 for a newborn who lost motion in the arm during birth due to doctors applying incorrect force on the baby’s head. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
We have seen cases where New York City Health and Hospital Corporation facilities deliver babies who are born with umbilical cord-related birth injuries stemming from negligence (carelessness), and/or medical malpractice in the labor and delivery etc. of the children.
The following list identifies some of these hospitals (operated by New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation):
• Jacobi Hospital aka Bronx Municipal 1400 Pelham Parkway South Bronx, New York 10461 718-918-5000
• Lincoln Hospital 234 East 149th Street Bronx, New York 10451 718-579-5000
• North Central Bronx Hospital 3424 Kossuth Avenue Bronx, New York 10467 718-519-5000
• Coney Island Hospital 2601 Ocean Parkway Brooklyn, New York 11235 718-616-3000
• Kings County Hospital 451 Clarkson Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11203 718-245-3131
• Woodhull Hospital 760 Broadway Brooklyn, New York 11206 718-963-8000
• Bellevue Hospital 462 First Avenue New York, New York 10016 212-562-5555
• Harlem Hospital 506 Lenox Avenue New York, New York 10037 212-939-1000
• Metropolitan Hospital 1901 First Avenue New York, New York 10029 212-423-6262
• Elmhurst Hospital 79-01 Broadway Elmhurst, New York 11373 718-334-4000
• Queens Hospital Center 82-68 164th Street Jamaica, New York 11432 718-883-3000
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