New York Labor Complications

Childbirth, while a natural process, can be complicated by many factors. In some cases the complications are unforeseeable, while in many cases complications associated with childbirth are preventable. When complications are preventable, often times they occur because the obstetrician, anesthesiologist, or other medical professional charged with your care, was negligent in caring for you. Even in instances in which the complication was unforeseeable, whether or not the doctor responded to the complication with skill and competence could determine whether or not your baby suffered a serious, life-long injury. If your baby suffered a serious birth injury because your doctor mismanaged labor complications, the New York labor complications at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates are here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to review your medical records, determine what went wrong and who was at fault, and ensure that your legal rights are protected

There are numerous complication that can arise during labor and delivery, some are foreseeable and preventable, while others are not. Some of the most common complications include:

• Umbilical cord issues. There are a number of different types of problems with the umbilical cord that could put the baby at risk including a nuchal cord, an entangled cord, or a compressed cord. The risk is that a problem with the cord will cause the baby to be deprived of oxygen and nutrients, leading to brain damage.
• Prolonged labor. Labor can be prolonged due to the slow movement of the baby through the birth canal because the baby is too large, because the baby is in an abnormal position, or because the contractions are not strong enough to keep the baby moving through the birth canal. As a result the baby may suffer from a lack of oxygen, or may suffer an injury when delivery tools such as forceps or a vacuum extractor are used.
• Abnormal presentation. An abnormal presentation occurs when the baby’s head is not directed toward the birth canal and is not aligned with the birth canal. If the baby is in an abnormal position, the delivery may be prolonged, leading to injuries. There is also a risk that the mother will suffer injuries to the uterus or birth canal. In addition, in some cases it may be necessary to deliver the baby via c-section.
• Premature rupture of membranes. Typically the mother’s “water breaks” right before or during labor. If the water breaks too early, then the baby is exposed to a high risk of infection.
• Shoulder dystocia. Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s shoulder lodges against the mother’s pelvic bone, prolong delivery. This is a frequent complication with babies that are particularly large and with mothers who have particularly small pelvises. As a result the baby may suffer an injury to the nerves in the shoulder, arm or hand, or the baby may suffer a broken arm.

When a delivery complication happens, the doctor must diagnose it and respond to it quickly and appropriately in order to ensure that the mother and baby do not suffer serious injuries. Oftentimes there are risk factors that are closely associated with particular labor complications. Understanding these risk factors will help a doctor make decisions about monitoring the mother and baby, and how to manage her labor and delivery. For example, if your baby suffered shoulder dystocia during a vaginal delivery even though the fact that you had gestational diabetes may have contraindicated a vaginal delivery, a New York labor complications attorney can help determine if your doctor’s decision was negligent.

If you or your baby was seriously injured during childbirth and you believe that your doctor’s negligence was the cause, discuss the details of your case with an experienced labor complications attorney in New York. When you are in the care of a physician, it is reasonable for you to expect that your doctor give you the care that any competent doctor in similar circumstances would provide. You do not expect that your doctor will make mistakes so serious that as a result your baby suffers serious, life-changing injury.

With the help of a skilled labor complications attorney serving New York, you can demand that the negligent doctor compensation you and your baby for the out-if-pocket expenses and other losses associated with the injuries.

If your baby was born seriously injured due to labor complications, you undoubtedly have a lot questions about whether or not negligence led to the injury. The experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates can help. We have the knowledge, skill and resources to help you determine if your child’s condition is the result of negligence, and to help you identify resources that will help pay for your child’s care. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.