Infant After Mother Not Monitored For Gestational Diabetes
A kind of case repeatedly encountered by a birth injury attorney involves an Erb’s palsy injury. This injury is due to damage to the nerves in the child’s shoulder which impact the shoulder, the arm and the hand. Sometimes the child will have to have surgery. Even with surgery, however, a number of children will be left with lasting injury to the arm.
When evaluating these cases an erbs palsy attorney considers various factors. One of the concerns is whether the physician involved had data suggesting there could be complications from a vaginal delivery and took necessary actions to prevent them.
In a reported claim, for instance, the child’s mother had in the past delivered 2 additional children both of whom had been large babies. The pregnant woman was recorded as being borderline for gestational diabetes in the 4th month of her pregnancy. She had substantial weight gain during the pregnancy. The baby had been documented larger than anticipated at four months of pregnancy and to weigh in the 90th percentile. The mother’s physicians intended for her to be induced for a vaginal delivery in the 40th week of pregnancy.
While in the hospital for the scheduled vaginal delivery some disconcerting symptoms were detected. Yet, the physician did not attempt to examine the pregnant woman one last time for gestational diabetes or to calculate the unborn child’s weight prior to inducing her. The doctor did not alter the plan and perform a C-section.
Hospital files showed that shoulder dystocia was found and that subsequent to delivery of the infant’s head, rather than try a regularly applied technique, the physician instead employed suprapubic pressure to aid the delivery. The child weighed ten pounds 10 ounces with a head circumference in the 90th percentile. The baby had Erb’s palsy. When she grew her arm atrophied due to her incapacity to use it. She has developmental delays and she has cerebral palsy. The law firm that handled the case announced that the matter settled for $900,000.
The preceeding should not be considered to be medical or legal advice. You should consult a physician at once should you believe there is a complication with your pregnancy or your infant has a health problem. Consult a medical negligence lawyer in the event you think your infant was injured as a result of a mistake by a physician or other wellness care professional.
