By its very nature, the process of giving birth to a child puts mothers and infants at heightened risk of health problems, including serious birth injuries and maternal death. Yet the risk of maternal injuries impacts certain people more than others. According to the CDC, Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are up to two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues than white women. Most of these deaths are preventable. 

All women deserve to be treated according to the highest standard of medical care. But when Illinois doctors fail to abide by standardized protocols and do not maintain awareness of their patients’ risks and medical needs, women can suffer serious injuries and even death during childbirth. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed during childbirth, an experienced Illinois maternal injury attorney may be able to help. 

What are Common Causes of Maternal Mortality? 

Maternal mortality is considered a death that happens during pregnancy, childbirth, and for up to a year after giving birth. For unknown reasons, maternal mortality has increased significantly in the United States in the past thirty years and statistics indicate that minorities bear an unfair share of maternal injury and mortality cases. 

The birth of a child can be one of the most joyful times of a parent’s life. Yet labor and delivery also carry significant risks, including dangers to the child’s current and future health. Competent medical care can minimize most risks during childbirth and most doctors and nurses serve their patients with an excellent standard of care. 

But sometimes, a medical provider’s exhaustion, sloppiness, neglect, or incompetence cause a neonatal infant real harm. Physical birth injuries can cause pain and suffering for a child, but they can also result in long-term developmental delays and disabilities. In turn, this can require difficult and expensive medical treatment that may be necessary for many years and even an entire lifetime. 

Which Birth Injuries Can Cause Developmental Delays? 

“Developmental delay” is a fairly broad term that indicates a child is not reaching appropriate developmental milestones at a certain age. These include cognitive, physical, verbal, auditory, and emotional abilities that persist over time. Some begin relatively early and are quite clear, while others may develop more slowly and take time to recognize. 

A child’s birth can be an intense and frightening experience, even when things go well. New parents experience so many unknowns, and in retrospect, the entire process can seem like a blur. Yet it is crucially important to be alert and pay close attention during your child’s birth because sometimes things do not go as planned. 

Infants can sustain injuries during childbirth, and some of these injuries are unavoidable. Other times, however, they happen as a consequence of negligence on the part of a medical provider. Skull fractures are an all-too-common injury that infants may sustain because of a medical mistake or oversight. If your infant was seriously hurt or killed during childbirth, contact an experienced Illinois birth injury attorney to learn about your legal options. 

Common Causes of Skull Fractures During Childbirth

Skull fractures can happen for many reasons; no matter the cause, they can pose serious risks to an infant’s life. Some common reasons an infant’s skull might be fractured during childbirth include: 

Both mothers and infants are at a heightened risk of complications and injuries during labor. Sometimes, injuries happen because of unpredictable events; other times, a provider’s negligence is responsible for causing problems. One of the most dangerous forms of birth injuries is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), or a lack of oxygen to the brain during birth. Infants who do not have sufficient access to oxygen during labor can suffer from permanent brain damage and even die. Providers must be aware of the risk factors that heighten the potential for HIE and can be held liable for birth injuries resulting from failure to provide a safe and appropriate standard of care. 

What is Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy? 

Although there are many ways that a lack of oxygen can damage an infant during childbirth, HIE specifically refers to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the brain. Many complicating factors can contribute to HIE, including, but not limited to:  

• Preeclampsia, maternal obesity, high blood pressure, or other pregnancy risks 

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C-sections, short for “cesarean sections,” are generally a safe alternative to giving birth vaginally. C-section deliveries can be planned in advance, but can also happen unexpectedly or in an emergency. Prolonged labor or pregnancy complications often require C-sections to preserve the health of the mother and the baby. 

When timed and performed correctly, C-section deliveries can save lives. But when doctors do not recognize that a C-section delivery is necessary, a delayed procedure can cause serious injuries and even death. Read on to learn more about when C-sections may be necessary and the potential consequences of improperly delaying this important procedure. 

What Are Common Injuries From a Delayed C-Section? 

Injuries resulting from delayed C-sections are one of the most easily preventable birth injuries, making it especially devastating when obstetricians fail to recognize their necessity. Infants are at greatest risk of catastrophic birth injury, and common types of injury include: