A Caesarean section (or ‘c-section’ as they are often referred to) is a common method of delivery and is performed millions of times a year. The number of mothers delivering by c-section is rising, with 1 in 4 women in the UK giving birth by caesarean section compared to just 1 in 10 in the 1970’s. Often mothers will have a planned c-section (usually due to health risks or the position of the baby) and sometimes the procedure will be carried out in an emergency if issues have arisen.
A c-section is major surgery and is often carried out under time pressure. As with any medical procedure complications or errors can occur and there is a risk of injury to both mother and baby.
Injuries experienced at birth can have a lifelong impact on a family who may have to live with the impact of those injuries and the trauma for the rest of their lives. If you or your partner have suffered harm during the time leading up to childbirth or as a result of the delivery, then you may be entitled to compensation.
Our medical negligence lawyers at Lamb Brooks are experienced in dealing with claims involving injuries experienced at birth and traumatic deliveries and have represented families where there has been a tragic stillbirth. If you are keen to speak to an expert today, please call 01256 844888 for a no-obligation discussion about your situation.
Birth Injury
Injuries during labour or delivery can affect the mother and the baby. It is not always possible to avoid injuries during birth and most women will experience pain and discomfort during and after labour. However, in some cases the injuries are avoidable and occur due to poor care.
Some examples of injuries during a natural delivery could include:
- Third and fourth degree perineal tears
- Wrongly performed episiotomies
- Errors in administering pain relief
- Errors with performing an epidural
- Retained placenta
- Errors in managing pre-eclampsia
When undergoing surgery, there are a few more serious risks of injury which include:
- Injuries to organs
- Excessive bleeding or haemorrhaging
- Blood clots
- Infections
- Issues with anaesthesia
- Nerve damage
With natural births, assisted labours and C-section deliveries there is a risk of babies being injured, which is incredibly difficult for new parents to witness. Injuries to baby can include:
- Oxygen deprivation
- Cerebral Palsy
- Facial Paralysis
- Spinal cord injury
- Dislocated limbs or fractures
- Head and facial injuries caused by forceps or a ventouse
In the most serious cases, death of either the mother or baby can occur. Although this is very rare and it is estimated that 13 in every 100,000 women die during or following a c-section delivery and this figure is mainly made up of mothers undergoing an emergency c-section as opposed to scheduled surgeries.
Caesarean Errors
Some c-section injuries are preventable and if you or your baby have suffered injuries during a procedure, there is a chance that you should be awarded with some compensation for your pain and suffering.
A c-section is usually performed when labour is not progressing in the way that it should, if the baby is in distress, if the baby is breech or in a difficult position for a natural birth, if you are carrying multiple babies or if there are any health concerns or complications such as an issue with the placenta or heart conditions in the mother that would make labour unsafe.
C-section involves a horizontal cut between 10-20cm being made just below the bikini line, through the womb lining to retrieve the baby. Most are carried out under spinal or epidural anaesthetics so that the mother cannot feel any pain, although they may feel some pulling and discomfort. The cut is then stitched and dressed after delivery. A screen is in place so that you and your birth partner cannot see the surgery itself. The whole procedure usually takes around 40-50 minutes, and the recovery time is longer than a natural delivery. Mothers are usually required to stay in hospital for a few days after surgery and are not allowed to drive or lift anything heavy for 6 weeks.
Both mother and baby are at risk of lacerations during the start of the procedure, and it is important that the surgeon takes great care. They must be careful to avoid causing damage to the bladder or perforate the bowel, which can require further surgery to remedy and can cause life-long issues.
Other risks involved are excessive bleeding, which could require an emergency transfusion or infection following the surgery.
Getting Support After Birth Trauma
A traumatic birth is a birth that causes severe physical and/or mental injuries or illness to the mother and child, partner or family member at the birth. Many will experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite or trouble sleeping if they have suffered a traumatic birth.
Whether the trauma is down to losing a baby, suffering injuries or coming to terms with a difficult labour and birth, it can be hard to know where to turn for support.
Ensure that you are getting the emotional support that you need from your partner, friends or family. Speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP if you need some additional advice. It is important not to bottle up how you are feeling and make sure you are finding a way to process your feelings in a healthy way.
Making a Medical Negligence Claim
Lamb Brooks Solicitors in North Hampshire help mothers and families navigate complaints and claims following birth injury or trauma. We understand the stressful and deeply personal ordeal that you and your loved ones have been through and do all we can to provide clear and concise advice throughout the claims process.
Making a claim can help in a number of ways. It can provide financial relief if you or your partner find yourselves unable to work, need unpaid leave or incur additional expenses. It can help get the support or rehabilitation that you or your baby need. A claim can ensure that an investigation is opened into what happened and can potentially avoid the mistake occurring again.
If medical staff have failed to give you or your baby the care required during labour, or you have suffered injuries following your delivery, then please speak to our team of experts who will take some further details and quickly evaluate your case.
Our medical negligence lawyers have experience dealing with families who have suffered loss, experienced sensitive injuries or who are struggling to process a traumatic birth.
We work on a no win, no fee basis, so there is no risk to starting a claim as all costs would be covered.
Call us on 01256 844888, email enquiries@lambbrooks.com or speak to our online chat assistant (who is a real person, not a robot) at any time of day. We hope to provide you with some clarity and support whilst getting your life back on track.
The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.