Umbilical Cord Injuries

The most common threat to a healthy pregnancy is a complication with the umbilical cord, which connects the mother to the fetus prior to birth. A tangled umbilical cord can limit oxygen to the fetus during a critical developmental stage, which can cause severe developmental problems and even death.

Medical professionals are trained to diagnose and treat umbilical cord entrapment. Failure of doctors and medical staff members to recognize a problem with the umbilical cord or to treat it properly can be a case of negligence. Children who survive such problems often have lifelong medical needs that have high costs. If your pregnancy was affected by a mishandled umbilical cord issue, the Law Offices of Robert G. Schock can work on your behalf to get you the compensation you require.

What Types Of Umbilical Cord Issues Arise?

Fetal distress can arise from complications involving the umbilical cord in several ways:

  • A cord wrapped around the baby’s neck — An umbilical cord tangled around a child’s neck restricts the flow of air to the brain. A restricted flow of air can lead to permanent loss of brain function and even death. An infant who survives may have special needs in addition to extra medical costs.
  • Cord compression — Cord compression is the obstruction of the flow of blood through the umbilical cord to the fetus. It occurs in roughly 10 percent of all pregnancies and has several causes, including contractions, a knot or pressure of the cord against the mother. Cord compression can create severe fetal distress.
  • Cord prolapse — Cord prolapse occurs when the umbilical cord descends into the birth canal before the child during the labor process. Both the mother and child are at risk of restricted blood flow if left uncorrected.

How Do Doctors Treat Umbilical Cord Issues?

A doctor or staff member assisting with labor is trained to diagnose and remedy an entrapped or compressed umbilical cord. Doctors must take immediate steps once they have determined the issue. Procedures include:

  • Delivery through cesarean section
  • Administering IV fluid and oxygen to compensate for the reduced amount the child is receiving
  • Rotating the mother on her side to relieve the compression
  • Temporarily stopping contractions, which allows the child to recover its heart rate and breathing
  • Manually relieving the umbilical cord if wrapped around the child’s neck
  • Delivery using forceps or the vacuum method

Medical staff members typically use a combination of these methods when an umbilical cord issue has been detected. Failure to do so may result in a medical malpractice case. An experienced personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Robert G. Schock can be your advocate during a difficult time.

Contact Us For A Free Initial Consultation At Our Office In Oakland

If your pregnancy was complicated by umbilical cord entrapment, you can institute a malpractice claim against the doctor and staff members who failed to meet the level of care required by the profession. The Law Offices of Robert G. Schock can help you get compensation for your losses and expenses, including medical bills and treatment costs. Call us at 510-922-0887 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation at our office in Oakland. Street and lot parking is available.