New York City

Published on: December 4, 2011

Complications can arise when it comes time to deliver the baby

by Stephen Bilkis

Even in perfectly normal pregnancies, complications can arise when it comes time to deliver the baby. The timing of labor is actually very important. If the baby comes too early, it can suffer severe complications and medical issues, but if the pregnancy goes too long, the placenta can stop working properly, leading to birth injuryas well.

A pregnancy is considered full-term at 37 weeks. Any birth that takes place before 37 weeks gestation is considered preterm. Usually a baby born after 35 weeks suffers no medical problems, so labor is not stopped from 35 weeks on.

Sometimes labor begins on its own, either due to a medical problem the mother or baby may have, or for no reason whatsoever. Only about 10% of women deliver on their due date, although 90% of women deliver within 2 weeks of their due date. Early in the pregnancy, an ultrasound is done to try and determine the length of the pregnancy to date. Ultrasounds done in mid-pregnancy, or late pregnancy are less effective at determining the length of the pregnancy.

Published on: September 14, 2011

Delayed C-Section May Cause Birth Injuries

by Stephen Bilkis

Medical mistakes are the cause of many birth injuries, and a NY City Birth Injury Attorney has found that one of those potential medical mistakes is the failure to perform a C-section in a timely manner. Since the medical staff that is involved in the delivery of a baby has, the responsibility to monitor both the mother and child’s vital signs, they should be aware of both patients’ overall condition at all times. On those occasions when the medical staff fails in their assigned responsibilities, and the doctor should not begin a C-section when he should, the infant could suffer permanent damage. The same may hold true if the doctor does not perform a C-section when the conditions warrant the procedure.

A C-section is the common term for a Caesarean section, which is when the infant is removed through the mother’s abdomen instead of through the vaginal opening. This procedure is often performed when there are risks to either mother or the baby by vaginal delivery.

In order for a C-section to be performed properly, it must be performed within a certain time frame. A New York Birth Injury Attorney alleges that to be more specific, once the doctor makes the decision to perform a C-section, it should be done in less than 30 minutes. Late C-sections have resulted in permanent birth injuries to the infant, including cerebral palsy, erb’s palsy, and brain damage. Each of these carries long-term consequences to the child and the family.

Published on: September 4, 2011

Cerebral Palsy: A Serious Birth Injury

by Stephen Bilkis

Cerebral Palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s mobility and ability to maintain posture and balance. Cerebral Palsy is caused by a non-progressive brain abnormality, meaning that the injury will not get worse over time, although the symptoms can change. Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle tone. Muscle tone refers to the amount of resistance to movement a muscle can sustain, or what lets your body keep you in a certain position or posture.

According to a New York Birth Injury Lawyer, in 1996 1 in every 278 children had Cerebral Palsy. In 2000 1 in every 323 suffered from the disorder. Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the child’s brain. The part of the brain that is damaged determines what body part is going to be affected. Damage occurs when either an injury takes place (sometimes during birth) or when a genetic condition affects the blood supply to the brain. Bacterial meningitis and other infections, or bleeding in the brain, lack of oxygen, head injury or even severe jaundice can cause Cerebral Palsy. Children who were born prematurely, or with a low birth weight are more likely to have problems that may lead to Cerebral Palsy.

A NY Birth Injury Lawyer has discussed how the Center for Disease Control funds the North Atlantic Neuro-Epidemiology Alliance (NANEA). The NANEA studies factors that cause Cerebral Palsy, including infections, bleeding, and raised temperatures during pregnancy. These studies are being performed in Denmark. All of these factors can lead to children being born with Cerebral Palsy or suffering a birth injury that leads to Cerebral Palsy.