Maryland Cord Prolapse Lawyer
When you give birth, first you deliver the baby. Then the umbilical cord typically comes out afterward. However, in rare cases, the umbilical cord may fall out from its normal position, or prolapse.
This is a serious issue. The umbilical cord connects your baby to your placenta. It is considered to be your unborn baby’s lifeline. It carries oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to your baby. The umbilical cord also removes waste products from your baby.
In the case of umbilical cord prolapse, your baby loses their blood supply. The cord drops through the cervix and into the vagina. Your pelvic bones squeeze the cord, which leads to oxygen loss. Because of this, your baby will need to be delivered immediately to avoid brain damage and other complications.
Umbilical cord prolapse is uncommon, and dying from it is even more uncommon. However, it can happen, and if it does, you want to hold the responsible party liable for their actions. Contact the Maryland cord prolapse lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman to learn more about your legal options.
Common Causes
There are several things that can increase the risk of umbilical cord prolapse:
- Being pregnant with multiple babies (twins, triplets, etc,)
- Preterm labor
- When your water breaks before 37 weeks of pregnancy
- Having a baby with a low birth weight
- Breech presentation, in which the baby’s feet or buttocks are pointed toward the birth canal
- Too much amniotic fluid
However, umbilical cord prolapse can happen to any pregnant woman at any time. There is no way to prevent or predict it.
What Happens Next?
One of the common signs of a prolapsed umbilical cord is an unusual heart rate. Due to the lack of blood flow to your baby, their heart rate may drop.
Another thing is that the woman may notice the umbilical cord sticking out of their vagina. When this happens, the baby needs to be delivered as soon as possible. If you are not at the hospital when this happens, call 911 right away. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital. Instead, wait for the ambulance. You may have to get onto your hands and knees and bend forward to get your pelvis up. This will decrease the pressure on the umbilical cord.
Ideally, the baby should be delivered within 30 minutes. The longer the delay in treatment, the higher the chance of brain damage or death. A C-section is typically recommended.
Contact Us Today
When umbilical cord prolapse occurs, doctors need to take prompt action. If they delay treatment for too long, they can cause the baby to suffer serious complications and even death.
Did a doctor’s negligence cause your baby to suffer issues during labor and delivery? If so, speak with the experienced Maryland personal injury lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman today. We’ll help you understand your legal rights and work hard to get you the best outcome possible. To get started, call 410-998-3600.
