New York Nuchal Cord

A nuchal cord is an umbilical cord that is wrapped around the baby’s neck. The umbilical cord connects the baby to the placenta. It provides nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the baby. During pregnancy the average cord grows up to 20 inches to allow the baby to move around. It is normal for the cord to become twisted into a knot, to wrap around the baby’s body, or to wrap around the baby’s neck. In most cases this does not present a problem. However, sometimes when the umbilical cord wraps around the baby’s neck, the result is a serious injury to the baby such as brain damage. If your baby suffered a serious injury because the umbilical cord became wrapped around the baby’s neck, contact an experienced New York nuchal cord lawyer to discuss your case. If medical negligence contributed to your child’s injuries, you may have the right to compensation.

Nuchal cord is common. Many babies are born with the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck without any complications. However, there are also many instances in which nuchal cords have caused the baby to suffer severe birth injuries. As New York nuchal cord lawyers, we are well aware of cases where the doctor underestimated the potential of a nuchal cord to cause the baby serious harm. Potential complications related to nuchal cords include:

• Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. HIE is a brain damage caused by lack of oxygen. When the brain does not receive sufficient oxygen, cell death occurs, leading to brain damage. When the cord becomes wrapped around the baby’s neck, it can essentially strangle the baby, causing oxygen deprivation. In the cases the cord can become compressed against the baby’s next, cutting off the oxygen supply.
• Meconium aspiration syndrome. Meconium aspiration syndrome occurs went a baby inhales meconium and as a result the airways become blocked, making it difficult for the baby to breathe. Meconium aspiration syndrome is often caused by fetal distress. If there are complications related to the umbilical cord, the baby is also at risk for meconium aspiration syndrome.
• Neurodevelopmental abnormalities

If the umbilical cord is too tight around the baby’s neck, causing problems with the baby receiving adequate oxygen, the baby will fall into distress. If there is fetal monitor, the monitoring strip will show fetal bradycardia- a sign that the baby is in distress. The mother may also notice that the baby is moving less. That can be a sign of distress.

As a knowledgeable nuchal cord attorney in New York will explain, even though nuchal cords may not always present problems for a baby, they sometimes do. It is up to your doctor to monitor the baby throughout the pregnancy and during labor and delivery to ensure that the baby is receiving adequate oxygen. If monitoring and testing indicates that the baby is in distress and at risk of HIE, it is up to the doctor to take immediate steps to help the baby. This may mean delivering the baby immediately by c-section. If you doctor failed to promptly respond to your baby’s distress and as a result your baby ends up with an serious medical condition such as brain damage, then you have the right to file a claim against you doctor.

If your baby suffered a serious injury because the umbilical was wrapped around his or her neck, contact a nuchal cord attorney serving New York at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates. Not only do we understand how dangerous a nuchal cord can be and the medical consequences for a baby related to poor oxygenation, we have years of experience successfully represented victims seriously injured due to medical negligence. 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.