Umbilical cord complications and birth injuries

Even if a pregnancy has progressed smoothly, there may be complications during labour resulting in a birth injury. Some complications involve the umbilical cord. This is the baby's lifeline and carries oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the baby's body.

It is essential that the baby receives sufficient oxygen until they have left the womb and can breathe on their own. The baby may become distressed if there are umbilical cord complications during delivery and it does not receive enough oxygen. This is known as foetal distress.

How can you detect foetal distress?
The first indication of foetal distress is an abnormal heart rate. Normally, the heart rate will be carefully monitored before and during delivery by electronic foetal heart equipment or a foetal stethoscope.

If an abnormality in the foetal heart rate is picked up, this can often be resolved by giving the mother more oxygen or turning her onto her left side. If these steps don't work, the baby is delivered as quickly as possible with forceps or by Caesarean.

Umbilical cord complications and foetal distress
Foetal distress is also caused by umbilical cord complications before or during delivery which deprive the baby of sufficient oxygen.

An umbilical prolapse is an umbilical cord complication that occurs before delivery. This is when the umbilical cord slips through the cervix into the birth canal (ahead of the baby) or out of the vagina. This can endanger the baby if the umbilical cord gets blocked and stops blood flow through the cord.

When the umbilical cord gets wrapped around the baby's body (often the neck) and affects the baby during delivery, it is called an umbilical cord compression. Compression can also occur if the cord is between the baby's head and the mother's pelvic bone before or during delivery. When the cord is compressed in this way, it leads to a decrease in the flow of blood and oxygen to the baby.

Umbilical cord birth injuries
Birth injuries connected to umbilical cord complications occur when there is a failure to observe or respond properly to symptoms of foetal distress and incorrect umbilical positioning.

How to make a compensation claim
If your baby has been involved in a birth accident as a result of an umbilical cord complication that was not dealt with properly by the attending obstetrician or midwives, and if emergency medical procedures were not carried out with due diligence and care, you may be eligible to make a medical negligence claim.

Misuse of forceps during an emergency delivery after umbilical cord compression or a failure or delay to carry out a Caesarean as necessary are other cases of medical negligence. Our team of personal injury solicitors are experts in dealing with cases of this nature and will be able to let you know whether somebody else was responsible for the injuries your baby has suffered.

Call us now on 0800 10 757 95 and we will take you step-by-step through the claims process and explain how to make a birth injury claim.