Rhode Island Lawyer, David Slepkow

Medical malpractice occurs during complications in labor, fetal distress, and other childbirth emergencies when a healthcare professional does not respond appropriately. The most common causes of birth injury malpractice include:

• Failure to anticipate the size of the child before labor (often occurs with larger babies).
• Failure to respond and treat maternal bleeding.
• Failure to diagnose and treat fetal distress.
• Failure to account for oxygen deprivation to the baby during labor.
• Errors in using a vacuum extractor or forceps during labor.
• Excessive force used during delivery.
• Failing to order a caesarian section when medically necessary.
• Unnecessary or improper treatment given to the infant after birth.

Any of these actions by the doctor or medical staff that cause harm to the baby may be considered medical malpractice.

Earlier this year, a mother carrying twins went into premature labor and was admitted to Brigham Women’s Hospital in Boston with high blood pressure. The medical staff discovered she had a kidney infection as well, but there was a delay in giving her antibiotics. Later that afternoon, the babies’ heart rates started to slow down, and a nurse called the resident doctor.