During childbirth, a physical obstruction can block the baby from progressing normally through the birth canal. There is a wide variety of reasons this can occur; some of the most common are listed below. Obstructed labor can be problematic for both mother and child. While obstructed labor increases the mother’s risks of getting a serious infection, bleeding or uterine rupture, the baby may be deprived of oxygen and may suffer physical injuries to the shoulders, head and neck.
Labor obstructions that may necessitate an emergency C-section include:
- Cephalopelvic disproportion: a situation in which the baby’s head is too large to pass through the mother’s pelvis normally.
- Malposition: when the baby is in the wrong position for childbirth. A breech position is one example.
- Small maternal pelvis: similar to the child’s head being too large, the mother’s pelvis may be too small for a baby to safely travel through.
- Birth canal obstructed by tumors: the mother’s birth canal may be narrowed by tumors or other problems, resulting in a birth canal that is too small for a safe vaginal delivery.
Obstructed labor creates a hazardous childbirth for mother and child. Potential complications include the following:
- Oxygen deprivation to the baby
- Infection in the mother
- Uterine rupture
- Heavy post-partum bleeding
- Physical trauma to the mother or the baby
During labor and in the days and weeks leading up to it, careful attention and monitoring on the part of doctors and other medical staff is essential. When obstructed labor arises, the doctor in charge must make a decision about how to make the delivery as safe as possible. A C-section is often necessary to avoid the problems listed above, problems which could endanger mother and child, and which could result in the baby eventually receiving a diagnosis of brain injury and Cerebral Palsy. Other options include delivery aided by vacuum extractors or forceps; however, these tools pose their own risks of injuring the baby’s skull and brain.
Attentive, proper medical care is essential to prevent lasting injuries during obstructed labor. If your child has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, it is necessary for you to know if a delayed C-section is the cause. If delayed delivery or another type of medical negligence is the root cause of your child’s Cerebral Palsy, then you may qualify for Lifetime Benefits. The only way to know for sure is to receive a free Medical Legal Review from an experienced Cerebral Palsy brain injury lawyer. To request a review, please call (800) 462-5772.
