Maryland Maternal Birth Injury Lawyer
Birth injuries refer to harm that the mother or baby experiences during childbirth. Birth injuries in mothers can be relatively minor, like tearing in the vaginal area, or more severe, like damage to the pelvic floor.
Birth injuries can be prevented in some ways. Exercising regularly and doing pelvic floor exercises can be helpful. Mothers can also do their part by avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. They should also eat a healthy diet and avoid gaining too much weight.
However, birth injuries to the mother can still occur due to negligence by the medical staff. For example, improper monitoring of the baby and mother can lead to prolonged or difficult labor. Misuse of forceps and other birthing instruments can also lead to injuries.
Were you injured by a doctor while delivering your baby? If so, contact a Maryland maternal birth injury lawyer at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman. We’ll assess your case and guide you through the next steps.
Types of Maternal Birth Injuries
Birth injuries in mothers can occur in multiple ways. Some common injuries to the perineal area include:
- Perineal tears/episiotomy. Most women who give birth vaginally experience perineal trauma, which includes tears to the area between the vagina and anus. It may be necessary for the doctor to perform an episiotomy, which involves making a small cut to widen the vagina opening and make it easier to deliver the baby.
- Nerve damage. Nerves in the perineal area can suffer damage during childbirth, and this can be very painful.
A woman can also suffer injuries to the pelvic floor. The most common injuries include:
- Muscle damage. Stretching during childbirth can lead to tears and muscle damage to the pelvic floor, which is a group of muscles that hold the bladder, bowel, and uterus.
- Pelvic organ prolapse. Damaged pelvic muscles can cause the organs inside the pelvis to drop down towards the vagina and cause bladder and bowel problems.
These injuries can have serious physical and mental effects on the mother. Some common issues include:
- Incontinence
- Hemorrhoids
- Painful vaginal tears
- Relationship issues
- Problems bonding with the new baby
- Being unable to return to work
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other mental disorders
Causes of Birth Injury
Some of the main risk factors for birth injury include:
- The baby’s position (breech, transverse, anterior, posterior, etc.)
- Having a large baby (over 9 pounds)
- Very long labor
- Labor complications
- Assisted delivery with forceps or vacuum extractor
- The mother having a small or unusually shaped pelvis
Contact Us Today
Labor and delivery are not easy for a lot of women. They may have large babies and long labors, making the process difficult. This can lead to birth injuries for the mother.
Have you suffered birth injuries? If so, a personal injury lawyer at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman can help you file a medical malpractice claim. Get the compensation you deserve. Call our office at 410-998-3600 to schedule a free consultation today.
