The birth of a baby should be a time for rejoicing for the entire family. As a parent, you want the best for your child, including ensuring that he or she has the best possible medical care before, during and after birth. It can be devastating to learn that your baby suffered harm during birth, experiencing injuries that could impact him or her for the rest of his or her life. One of the most common birth injuries is asphyxia, which is a lack of blood or oxygen flow to the brain.
Asphyxia can happen during birth, sometimes even occurring without doctors or nurses being aware of the problem. This is one critical reason for careful monitoring during the birth process. Without nutrients and the proper amount of oxygen, organs cannot function properly. This can lead to brain damage and other issues that may affect your baby permanently.
The impact of birth asphyxia
The extent of the impact of birth asphyxia depends on how long the child was without oxygen, the type of treatment given to the child and how low the child’s level of oxygen is. While some babies can recover from oxygen deprivation, others will suffer debilitating and permanent injuries that may affect the heart, bowels, brain, lungs, kidneys and other organs. If the baby is close to full-term, cooling the baby may help stop and reverse damage caused by asphyxia during birth.
As this can sometimes occur without the notice of medical professionals, Oregon parents may benefit from learning about the signs of asphyxia. Babies who suffered from oxygen deprivation during birth may have poor muscle tone, be gray or blue in color, have difficulty breathing, demonstrate weak reflexes and more. Doctors should do a full examination to look for signs of oxygen deprivation and determine if a baby needs additional medical support. Asphyxia can happen for many reasons, including difficult delivery and umbilical cord problems.
Is your baby a victim of malpractice?
Babies who suffer from asphyxia may be suffering due to medical mistakes, such as a lack of proper monitoring. If you believe your baby is the victim of a lack of quality medical care and other issues, you may benefit from seeking counsel regarding your legal options. The civil justice system provides options for families suffering due to a lack of quality medical care, preventable birth injuries and malpractice.