A placental abruption is a condition that develops when the placenta peels away from the uterus during the term of the pregnancy. Depending on the location of the abruption and…
more »Before a cerebral palsy lawsuit can be initiated, the circumstances of the particular case must be carefully evaluated by lawyers and doctors to determine if the negligence of the physician…
more »
Erb’s palsy (also known as brachial palsy, brachial plexus birth injury, Erb-Duchenne Palsy, Dejerine-Kumpke Palsy) is the paralysis of the upper brachial plexus. The brachial plexus… is a large network
more »
Group B Strep infections can be particularly scary for expectant mothers because anyone, even healthy mothers, can carry GBS and may not even display any symptoms.
A placental abruption is a condition that develops when the placenta peels away from the uterus during the term of the pregnancy. Depending on the location of the abruption and the degree to which the placenta has pulled away from the uterus, hemorrhaging commonly develops.
The bleeding related to a placental abruption poses challenges for both mother
more »
Yes. A placental abruption (or simply referred to as an “abruption”) is a complication that develops when the placenta pulls away from the wall of the uterus before the delivery of the baby. When the placenta separates itself from the uterus, hemorrhaging may result in the mother and the loss of vital oxygen and nutrients to the child.
Before a cerebral palsy lawsuit can be initiated, the circumstances of the particular case must be carefully evaluated by lawyers and doctors to determine if the negligence of the physician or other medical professional was to blame for your child’s cerebral palsy.
Paramount to evaluating cerebral palsy cases, are the medical records.
more »Erb’s palsy (also known as brachial palsy, brachial plexus birth injury, Erb-Duchenne Palsy, Dejerine-Kumpke Palsy) is the paralysis of the upper brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a large network of nerves that send signals from the spine to the shoulder/arm/hand (diagram).
If these nerves are damaged, it can cause the arm
more »Group B Strep infections can be particularly scary for expectant mothers because anyone, even healthy mothers, can carry GBS and may not even display any symptoms.
Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae, group B strep, or GBS…) is a gram-positive streptococcal bacterium commonly found in the intestines and lower genital tract. In adults, it is
more »
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a condition where a newborn breathes meconium (newborn’s first stools – thick, sticky, greenish-black color) and amniotic fluid into the lungs before, during, or after delivery. When a baby is under stress or not receiving enough oxygen or blood, the baby can pass feces while still in the uterus.
Once this happens,
more »
…Early signs of cerebral palsy may be present from birth. Most children with cerebral palsy are diagnosed during the first 2 years of life. But if a child’s symptoms are mild, it can be difficult for a doctor to make a reliable diagnosis before the age of 4 or 5.
Nevertheless, if a doctor suspects cerebral palsy, he or she
…Cerebral palsy can’t be cured, but treatment will often improve a child’s capabilities. Many children go on to enjoy near-normal adult lives if their disabilities are properly managed. In general, the earlier treatment begins, the better chance children have of overcoming developmental disabilities or learning new ways to accomplish the tasks that challenge them.
There is no standard therapy that
The specific forms of cerebral palsy are determined by the extent, type, and location of a child’s abnormalities. Doctors classify cerebral palsy according to the type of movement disorder involved — spastic (stiff muscles), athetoid (writhing movements), or ataxic… (poor balance and coordination) — plus any additional symptoms.
Doctors will often describe the type of cerebral palsy a child has
It is now believed that cerebral palsy may be due to a variety of factors including genetic abnormalities stress put upon the baby during the labor and delivery process. These situations where stress is put upon a child during the labor and delivery process are usually deemed to be preventable.
For example, the use of electronic fetal monitoring
more »
…Just as there are particular types of brain damage that cause cerebral palsy, there are also certain medical conditions or events that can happen during pregnancy and delivery that will increase a baby’s risk of being born with cerebral palsy.
Research scientists have examined thousands of expectant mothers, followed them through childbirth, and monitored their children’s early neurological development to
The signs of cerebral palsy usually appear in the early months of life, although specific diagnosis is usually delayed until later. Parents are often the first to suspect that their baby’s motor skills aren’t developing normally.
Infants with cerebral palsy frequently have developmental delay…, in which they are slow to reach developmental milestones such as learning to roll over,
…Valiant medical research into the causes and treatment for patients with cerebral palsy has yielded relatively minor results for families coping with a child who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Impatient with the development of new cerebral palsy treatments, many patients and families have turned their attention to non-traditional medical treatments.
Below are common cerebral palsy treatments as suggested
Orthopedic surgery is often recommended when spasticity and stiffness are severe enough to make walking and moving about difficult or painful. For many people with cerebral palsy…, improving the appearance of how they walk – their gait – is also important. A more upright gait with smoother transitions and foot placements is the primary goal for many children and
more »
…Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy is a condition in which the brain does not receive enough oxygen, which can occur during a difficult labor and delivery. The consequences can be severe and can include life-long complications.
When a baby is deprived of oxygen during labor and delivery for over a five-minute period of time they can suffer from many types of long-term
Placenta previa refers to a condition when the placenta is too close to the uterine wall and partially or totally covers the cervix. The placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to the baby during pregnancy and is attached to the umbilical cord. In addition to providing nutrients, it also removes waste products from the baby’s blood.
Symptoms
more »
In 0.5% of all labors, mothers experience antepartum hemorrhage, otherwise known as excessive vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. There are two main causes of the complication: placental previa which accounts for 31% of obstetric hemorrhages and placenta abruption which accounts for 22%.
Placental previa is a condition in which the placenta is attached too close to
more »
An obstetric hemorrhage is when a woman bleeds heavily during pregnancy, labor, or post-delivery. The bleeding is typically vaginal, but in some very rare cases there can be internal bleeding directly into the abdominal cavity.
There are two types of obstetrical hemorrhage: antepartum hemorrhage and postpartum hemorrhage.
An antepartum hemorrhage refers to bleeding in
more »
A uterine rupture is a tear in the wall of the uterus. Accounting for ninety percent of all cases, uterine rupture is most common among mothers who have had a previous cesarean section.
During contractions the extra stress can cause the previous incision scar tissue to expand and stretch, and can eventually stretch thin enough to give way.
more »
…If labor is slow to progress, a doctor may suggest using the drug Pitocin to induce contractions. When given to a woman whose baby is being slow to make an entrance, the drug can speed things along. However, there can be adverse effects as well if the drug is improperly used or overused.
Pitocin is a synthetic form of a
Forceps are an instrument that is sometimes used in childbirth if it is a difficult delivery. When a labor becomes delayed or a baby is stuck in the birth canal and is starting to show signs of distress, a doctor may opt for a cesarean section or to use forceps.
Looking like a large set of tongs,
more »
…Cerebral palsy symptoms are varied depending on the severity of the case and what parts of the brain have been affected. Some cases are very mild, while others are extremely severe.
Symptoms will most likely present themselves before a child is 2 years old, and can become apparent as early as 3 months. As each developmental stage passes which include
There are many factors that can lead to the diagnosis of cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is caused by a brain abnormality or injury that usually occurs during pregnancy or a botched labor and delivery. There are several factors that can lead to problems with brain development.
Lack of oxygen to the baby during labor and
more »
…Umbilical cord compression is a problem that can occur during labor and delivery involving the cord being under pressure, which causes the baby to receive a reduced amount of blood and nutrients. If the umbilical cord gets stretched and compressed during labor, it can lead to a decrease of blood to the baby, which results in a drop of the
more »
…Cerebral palsy can be caused by many factors, one of which is lack of oxygen during labor and delivery. In order to determine oxygen levels, Physicians monitor the baby’s heart rate. If a doctor sees a slowed or irregular rate they may require an emergency cesarean section.
Delay in requiring a cesarean section when the baby is displaying signs of
Electronic fetal monitoring (“EFM”) has helped decrease fetal and neonatal death rates by helping identify fetal distress. Fetal monitoring is intended to prevent fetal hypoxia when it starts by monitoring the fetus in the womb and identifying signs of fetal distress.
Fetal distress refers to an abnormal fetal heart rate pattern that
more »
Some children show signs of cerebral palsy soon after birth, while others can take years to display symptoms. Sometimes, doctors may not be able to make a diagnosis… until the child is 4-5 years of age. In evaluating a child for CP, doctors will review the child’s medical history, check the child’s motor skills, and look for characteristic symptoms such
more »
CP can affect cognitive, motor, visual, sensory, speech, coordination, and autonomic functions. Below are the some of the most commonly associated deficits associated with cerebral palsy.
Cognitive… – The area of the brain injured can cause varying symptoms. For example, if the frontal lobe suffers damage, the child can suffer problems
more »
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is caused by abnormalities or injuries of the brain that may develop in utero, during delivery or immediately following birth. Rather than one particular cause for this life-changing medical complication, it is important to understand that the reasons for the development of CP may derive from a one or more of the following contributing factors.
