Reasons for common birth injuries have changed since 1970

Health care is a field where better methods are constantly being discovered, so there is no wonder that childbirth has become safer over time. Despite the many strides that have been made in maternal and infant health care, birth injuries still occur in Delaware and throughout the United States. Understanding the most common labor complications today compared to the issues women faced 50 years ago can offer some insight into how times have changed and what remains to be addressed.

There are many complications and medical malpractice issues that can cause birth injuries and even mortality for both a baby and the baby’s mother. Generally speaking, the most common causes of injury from childbirth are bleeding, infection, unsafe termination, eclampsia and ongoing pregnancy complications. During labor, a mother can face many challenges. Some of the top complications include failure to progress, fetal distress and perinatal asphyxia.

Historically, the most common birth injuries could be slightly different. For example, many women faced birth injuries that resulted from drugs administered during labor. Another common issue was inability to access health care, particularly for women with lower socioeconomic status.

There are many other common birth injuries that can cause serious issues yet to be fully addressed by the medical community in Delaware and throughout the United States. These include shoulder dystocia, malposition, placenta previa and uterine rupture. Those who have gone through a birth where challenges occurred due to medical negligence may have legal options to help pay for the outcome. Speaking with a state lawyer about the situation is a good first step to understanding options for recourse.

Source: romper.com, “The 10 Most Common Labor Complications Now Vs. 1970 & What It Says About Health Care“, Vanessa Taylor, April 20, 2018