Minnesota Cord Prolapse Lawyer
The umbilical cord is an extremely important part of any pregnancy. Inside the womb, it is attached to the placenta, which delivers important nutrients, blood, and oxygen to the unborn child. During a normal birth, the child will enter the birthing canal and the umbilical cord will follow. In some cases though, the umbilical cord enters the cervix before the baby, and this situation is an obstetrical emergency. There is a risk that the cord will become compressed against the child, which can block important nutrients and oxygen from reaching the child.
Like so many other obstetrical emergencies, cord prolapse is not preventable. Still, doctors must determine when a woman is at risk so she can be monitored and treated as soon as possible. When medical personnel fail to do this, they can be held liable for medical malpractice. A Minnesota cord prolapse lawyer can help file your claim so you recover the full settlement you deserve.
Diagnosing Cord Prolapse
Doctors must be able to quickly identify and diagnose cord prolapse so they can treat it as soon as possible. Some of the most common signs of cord prolapse include:
- A cord felt in the birth canal during a pelvic examination
- Umbilical cord visible in the birth canal
- A sudden drop in the fetal heart rate that is not quickly resolved
When any of these signs are noticed, doctors must know how to manage and diagnose the condition. Sometimes, it is possible to relieve the cord compression but when that is not possible, immediate delivery of the child may be necessary.
Risk Factors for Cord Prolapse
Some women are more at risk of suffering from cord prolapse and doctors are responsible for being able to identify these risk factors, as well. They are as follows:
- Polyhydramnios, or an excess of amniotic fluid
- Multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets
- Artificial or premature rupture of the membranes
- Unusual fetal presentation, especially when a baby is in the breech position
- Unusually long umbilical cord
- Misplacement of internal monitors
When any of these risk factors are present, a doctor may monitor the mother more closely, and may even admit her to the hospital in case she goes into labor. In these cases, a cesarean section can be ordered very quickly, reducing the risk of harm to the mother and child. Experts have stated that when cord prolapse is detected, delivery should occur within 30 minutes so injuries are prevented. One of the main types of injury sustained by infants after a cord prolapse is permanent brain damage and disorders such as cerebral palsy.
Our Birth Injury Lawyer in Minnesota Can Help After a Cord Prolapse
If your child has been born with a brain injury, or you feel you have suffered harm as a result of a cord prolapse, our Minnesota birth injury lawyer can provide the sound legal advice you need. At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, our seasoned attorneys have the necessary experience with medical malpractice claims to overcome the challenges they present so you can claim the full damages you are entitled to. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.