Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) is complex medical terminology to say that the baby’s head is too big for the mother’s pelvis. CPD can be a serious problem for a natural birth, and the baby could get stuck in the birth canal, potentially leading to injuries for both the mother and the baby. In most cases, once CPD is discovered, the baby should be delivered by a C-section instead. If your doctor failed to act accordingly or failed to diagnose cephalopelvic disproportion that should have been obvious, you may be entitled to sue your doctor for any injuries and complications your baby suffered.
The Houston, TX cephalopelvic disproportion lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm represent families of babies suffering birth injuries, and we work to hold their doctors liable for these complications and injuries. For a free legal consultation on your case, contact our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.
Injuries from Difficult Births Caused by a Narrow Birth Canal
Many mothers run into the problem that their birth canal or the bones of their pelvis themselves make the canal too small to deliver a baby vaginally. In some women, this will be somewhat obvious based on a physical examination, and a doctor might suggest turning to a C-section from the outset. However, it is often difficult to measure the baby while it is still in the womb, and a doctor might not see that the baby’s head will be too big for the birth canal until the delivery is already underway.
A baby’s head compresses during delivery, and different bones in the skull can fold along seams to help the baby get through the birth canal. However, many women’s pelvises are simply too narrow, and the baby will have trouble getting out regardless of the compression. As soon as the doctor finds out that vaginal delivery is not going to work, the doctor should usually turn to a C-section instead.
If the doctor fails to realize the child’s head will be too small for the mother’s pelvis, the baby and the mother could be injured. If the baby becomes stuck or trapped in the birth canal, the delivery may be impossible. This could compress the umbilical cord and cause the baby to begin to suffocate. Having the child’s head compressed for a prolonged period can cause brain injuries and skull damage. Moreover, if the baby is in a cramped position, they could suffer injuries to the brachial plexus and other nerves, potentially leading to palsy and partial paralysis.
Suing a Doctor for Negligence Involving Cephalopelvic Disproportion
After having a baby that suffered birth complications and birth injuries, you may be entitled to sue the doctor for failing to provide reasonably adequate care. Doctors are held to a standard of care based on what other reasonable physicians in the medical community would do in the same situation. This requires other doctors – called “medical experts” in a legal context – to offer testimony as to what the standard of care is and what your doctor did wrong.
For you to get compensation for your baby’s injuries, you must prove that the doctor did indeed breach the duty of care by failing to provide adequate care. If the doctor did everything right, but your baby was still injured from CPD, it may be an unfortunate accident. However, if your child’s injuries should have been avoided by better diagnosis, quicker action, or other decisions your doctor should have made, you can usually seek compensation.
One strange facet of cephalopelvic disproportion is that it is not always diagnosable before labor begins. Some mothers have very narrow pelvises, and it may be more likely that CPD will be a problem, but this might not be enough evidence to move to a C-section right away. Additionally, just because a mother had problems with CPD with a previous birth does not mean that this child’s birth will also have problems with CPD; this baby could be smaller, or other factors could have affected the size of the pelvis or birth canal.
Whether your doctor’s care was unreasonable or negligent will be based on the specifics of your case and the information and options available to your doctor during your labor. For help examining your case and understanding whether the doctor provided negligent care, call a lawyer today.
Damages for CPD Injuries During Childbirth
If your baby was injured because of CPD or because their head was bigger than the mother’s birth canal, it is important to talk to an attorney. You may face expenses to treat your child’s birth injuries, cover the cost of ongoing therapy, and pay for their pain and suffering. It is vital to talk to an attorney to understand what these costs are and how you can maximize the compensation you receive.
When suing a doctor, their medical malpractice insurance or their hospital’s malpractice insurance will likely be the party to actually pay the damages. Still, you and your attorney need to prove the value of the damages you are seeking in court to get the court to order compensation. Your lawyer can help you gather medical bills and other records of these damages as evidence.
Call Our Houston Lawyers for Birth Injuries from a Narrow Birth Canal Today
If you or a loved one had a baby that suffered injuries because of cephalopelvic disproportion, you should speak with a lawyer right away. The Houston, Texas cephalopelvic disproportion injury attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm represent injured newborns and their families in medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors in Texas. For your free legal consultation, contact our attorneys today at (817) 476-1797.