Birth injuries and injury to the mother are a leading source of medical malpractice claims. From pre-natal care through delivery, birth trauma and emergencies or C-section, doctors must pay close attention to the risks faced by both newborns and their mothers. A new issue involving larger babies is creating greater birth hazards. This is opening many doctors up to liability when they do not account for greater birth weight.
Medical malpractice can be complex, especially when the case involves birth injury. Our New York medical malpractice attorneys are experienced in handling even the most difficult birth injury cases. In addition to helping our clients, our firm is dedicated to raising awareness in medical health to keep mothers and babies healthy and safe. We stay abreast of trends in medical field to help best protect our clients in the event of a medical injury.
A new trend that is making headlines is giant babies, weighing in at the size of some 3 or 4 month old babies. Some are so large they are quickly growing out of baby clothes and into toddler’s clothes within their first year. What does this mean for mother health and patient health during delivery? What risks do these babies face later on? Are doctors responsible for maintaining the weights of their smallest patients?
Throughout the world, mothers have delivered babies upwards of 13 pounds. The weight and size of these babies has both mothers and doctors concerned about the potential health risks. Doctors around the world have acknowledged that a baby with a greater birth weight has a greater chance of diabetes and obesity. A baby who is too large at birth could face a difficult, even life-threatening birth, as well as health problems later on.
According to recent research, there has been a 15 to 25 percent spike in newborns who weigh over 8 pounds. This spike has occurred over the past 2 to 3 decades in developed countries around the world. Research has also found a correlation between obesity in mothers and large birth weights of their newborns. In the U.S. obesity continues to plague the nation, and the risks to pregnant mothers and their fetuses continues to rise.
Doctors and other health professionals must consider a newborn’s birth weight when entering the delivery room. In many cases, mothers will have to deliver a larger baby by C-section which can create its own set of risks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention C-section rates rose 20 percent between 1996 and 2009. C-sections are one way to deliver a child that is too large and when preeclampsia or other blood pressure problems create additional risks.
Medical research indicates that larger babies can be a risk for both mother and child. Larger babies could suffer from shoulder dystocia, getting stuck under the pubic bone during the delivery. Larger babies could have fractured bones and mothers are more likely to have severe trauma and tearing during birth.
To prevent additional stress and injuries, doctors should be prepared for the medical risks associated with larger babies and birth weights.
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC offers free consultations. Call 1-877-313-7673.
More Blog Entries:
New York Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Overseas Surgeries a Risky Venture, New York City Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog, August 20, 2013
NYC Malpractice Watch: Unnecessary Medical Procedures Put Patients at Risk, May 30, 2013, New York City Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog
