Hypoxia and Anoxia
Traumatic birth injuries from lack of oxygen, called hypoxia and anoxia, are emotionally devastating events. Parents often bear the burden of blaming themselves. But more often than not, the blame lies elsewhere. These serious brain injuries can be the result of negligence when caregivers fail to follow proper medical procedures.
Complications Contributing to Anoxia/Hypoxia
During pregnancy, it is of crucial importance that both infant and mother receive proper prenatal care. A woman may develop an infection or conditions known as eclampsia or preeclampsia, which if left untreated, can directly harm the unborn child because of the reduced blood flow to the placenta.
While in labor, medical staff must diligently monitor the infant and mother for any signs of abnormality or distress. Failure to take immediate and proper action may result in decreased oxygen and subsequent injury to the baby.
Any situation causing the mother’s blood pressure to drop, directly affects the child. When a pregnant mother lies on her back, the infant puts undue stress on the woman’s major blood vessels, diminishing blood flow to the infant. The umbilical cord may become displaced around the baby’s neck or be pushed in front of the infant, diminishing vital blood flow and oxygen.
Labor inducing medications administered improperly can cause rapid successive contractions, which deplete blood and oxygen flow to the child. Health care providers attempting to deliver a breech child improperly may result in oxygen deprivation and injury to the infant.
Help for Families
The guilt and emotional distress parents experience when an infant suffers injury are overwhelming. Add to that the stress of the ongoing medical care and cost of treatment for infants that suffer from anoxic or hypoxic injuries. Families must stop blaming themselves and get help managing the problems these injuries will bring to the life of their children. The best way to do that is to work with a qualified birth injury lawyer.
Contact Us
The experienced attorneys at Shapiro Law Group will evaluate all the data and circumstances surrounding traumatic injury at no cost to you. We may be able to secure compensation on your behalf that helps alleviate the financial burden of ongoing medical care and the emotional pressures of self-blame.
