How big is too big when it comes to an infant being delivered through vaginal birth in an Oregon hospital? If a woman attends regular prenatal visits, her condition and that of the baby are closely monitored throughout pregnancy. One of the issues of concern is an infant’s size as the fetus develops in the womb. If a baby is too large to fit through the vaginal canal, birth injuries may result to both the infant and mother.
Doctors and midwives have various resources available to measure the size of a baby in the womb. They check to make sure that an infant is growing at a healthy rate. Failure to grow or a low estimated birth weight suggests that a baby may be at risk. The OB-GYN also measures the baby to make sure that he or she can safely fit through the vaginal canal. If a baby is too big, the logical decision would be to opt for a cesarean section delivery.
Most doctors order C-sections if a baby is more than 10 lbs.
A decision to order a C-section is left to the discretion of the attending doctor. Typically, a C-section is arranged if a baby is more than 10 lbs. in the womb. The doctor also checks the size of a mother’s pelvis. Even if a baby is less than 10 lbs., sometimes the mother’s pelvis is too narrow to accommodate the baby’s size.
Failure to order C-section may result in birth injuries
A pregnant woman giving birth in an Oregon hospital depends on her medical team to keep her and her baby safe. If an OB-GYN fails to order a C-section in a situation where the typical doctor would consider it necessary, and birth injuries occur because a baby is too large to fit through the vaginal canal, there may be grounds for filing a medical malpractice claim in civil court. It is always helpful to seek legal consultation when considering options for legal recourse.