Philadelphia Birth Injury Attorney

Complications and Risks of Post-Term Pregnancy

What is a post-term pregnancy? On average, a pregnancy lasts approximately 38 weeks. 40 weeks and anything past is considered a post-term pregnancy. There are many different risks and complications associated with post-term pregnancy, and obstetricians, or delivery room doctors, are expected to induce labor if this occurs. During a post-term pregnancy, the baby often grows much larger than typical 38-week pregnancies. As such, a caesarean section is encouraged for post-term pregnancies. When a doctor negligently fails to induce labor for a pregnant woman with a post-mature baby, they risk complications due to the baby's size, such as shoulder dystocia. Shoulder dystocia, a birth injury that can lead to Erb's palsy, is one of the common effects of post-mature births. Additionally, with a placenta aging over 40 weeks, it has more difficult time supplying a sufficient oxygen source to the unborn child; therefore, causing other serious risk factors, including cerebral palsy or brain injury.

There are several methods that a doctor will use to monitor a post-term baby, including fetal movement recording, electronic fetal monitoring, ultrasound scanning, biophysical profiling, and a Doppler flow study. All methods used should be non-stressful for a baby. If the baby's heartbeat and all other levels appear to be normal, most delivery room doctors will not induce labor for the pregnant woman; they will wait for it to occur naturally. Unfortunately, if the doctor fails to monitor the baby after the pregnancy has become post-term or misreads the data, serious birth injuries to the baby and possibly to the mother may be the result. Suffering birth injuries as the result of a post-term pregnancy that was not induced by a doctor on time is medical malpractice. If you feel that you have been the victim of this type of doctor negligence, contact a Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer from our firm today.

Consequences of Post-Term Pregnancy & Medical Malpractice in Philadelphia

When a person suffers from injuries sustained due to post-term pregnancy and other forms of medical malpractice in Philadelphia, they will be faced with many different types of consequences. The most prominent consequence includes the financial burden associated with having a child born with a birth injury. Birth injuries are extremely expensive, especially because your child may require lifelong medical attention and special care. It is important to talk to a Philadelphia birth injury attorney from our law firm as soon as possible if your child has suffered any type of birth injury.

At The Law Offices of Steven Laynas, our team has over 30 years of experience in this area of the law. We have been recognized by our peers with an AV Rating for our ability to provide effective and affordable legal services. Our high standards reflect the outcomes of our cases in which we have recovered millions of dollars for clients in Philadelphia and throughout nearby communities.

For a free consultation, contact a Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney at the firm today.