C-Section Injuries

What Are C-Section Injuries?

C-section injuries are complications and physical traumas that can happen to both the mother and the baby during a cesarean section delivery. While C-sections are generally safe, they carry risks, as with any major surgery.

A common C-section injury to a baby is cephalohematoma (a collection of blood under the scalp). Babies may suffer cuts from surgical instruments and even newborn skull fractures.

Additionally, delayed C-sections can cause catastrophic injury. In worst-case scenarios, a baby may suffer from brain damage due to prolonged lack of oxygen. Delaying a medically necessary C-section can also lead to stillbirth or severe birth injuries like cerebral palsy (CP).

The Birth Injury Justice Center works with top personal injury attorneys across the country with experience handling birth trauma cases.

Together, they’ve recovered over $917 million for preventable injuries during childbirth.

Find out if we can connect you with an experienced birth injury lawyer near you — get a free case review right now.

Types of C-Section Injuries

Delivering a baby via C-section may be necessary to prevent loss of life, but it comes with risks of its own. Complications from mistakes made during surgery can affect both mother and baby.

Learn more about C-section injury types below.

C-Section Injuries to the Baby

Unfortunately, a baby injured during a C-section delivery is a known risk. Consequences range from temporary injuries, easily treated after birth, to lifelong conditions that can affect a family forever.

For example, cephalohematoma C-section injuries can occur due to the pressure exerted during delivery. These injuries can happen if surgical instruments used during a C-section accidentally cause trauma to the baby’s head.

A 2023 study found that children delivered by cesarean section were more likely to develop ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and intellectual disabilities compared to those delivered by vaginal delivery.

Several additional recent studies have reached the same conclusion. However, further study is necessary, as this line of research is still new, and the potential link is not well understood.

C-Section Injuries to the Mother

Undergoing a C-section exposes women to a range of potential complications. Mistakes made during the procedure — or delaying a C-section once it becomes apparent that it is necessary — can have dangerous consequences.

Additionally, women who have had one C-section are more likely to require the procedure for future births.

A successful vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) has fewer complications than a repeat C-section. However, if VBAC fails, it can cause serious issues like uterine rupture.

Uterine rupture is rare but very dangerous. It happens when the C-section scar on the uterus breaks open, requiring an emergency C-section and possibly a hysterectomy.

Causes of C-Section Injuries

C-section injuries can result from the pressure of surgical tools or the extraction process. Although many are minor and heal on their own, some can lead to severe cesarean section complications.

In some cases, poor decisions made by doctors before, during, and after labor can lead to C-section injuries, resulting in permanent physical and financial consequences for families.

Learn more about common causes of C-section trauma below.

Medical Negligence

C-section medical negligence includes errors like inadequate monitoring of the mother and baby or failure to follow standard procedures.

Delivery teams are responsible for handling emergencies safely and effectively. This means patients have the right to expect proper care in all circumstances.

When health care professionals fail to provide adequate care, they breach their duty to patients, which may be considered medical malpractice.

Delayed C-Section

A delayed C-section can lead to serious complications for both the mother and the baby.

When a necessary C-section is not performed promptly, the baby may suffer from a lack of oxygen, which can cause conditions like brain damage, cerebral palsy, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Prolonged labor can also lead to other injuries, like broken bones or fetal distress. Timely medical intervention, like performing an emergency C-section, is crucial to prevent these life-threatening issues.

Surgical Errors

Surgical errors during a C-section can cause severe complications for both the mother and baby.

Common surgical errors include accidental cuts to the baby, leading to injuries like cephalohematoma. For mothers, mistakes can result in damage to the bladder or bowel and excessive bleeding.

Surgical C-section injuries can cause long-term health issues and require additional medical treatments.

If you or your child suffered from a C-section injury, you may have legal options, and the Birth Injury Justice Center may be able to help.

Call us right now at (800) 914-1562 or Click to Live Chat to see if you qualify.

Why Do People Have C-Sections if There Are Risks?

There are many reasons a pregnant person might need to have a C-section. In some cases, they may know that they will probably require a cesarean delivery due to medical history or conditions surrounding the pregnancy.

However, most first-time C-sections are a result of unforeseen complications during labor.

Some women may choose to schedule a C-section, even when it is not indicated by any preexisting conditions. However, most doctors advise against doing so.

Are C-Section Injuries Preventable?

Most C-section injuries are preventable. Patients should be counseled before going into the delivery room on the likelihood of needing the procedure and what their individual C-section injury risk is.

Fortunately, new C-section techniques focus on making incisions and handling tissues in ways that reduce complications and improve recovery.

Additional safety advances to prevent C-section injury include effective bleeding control and infection prevention.

However, while most C-section injuries are preventable, mistakes can happen. When a C-section injury could have been avoided, it may be considered birth injury medical malpractice.

Proper training for medical staff is critical to prevent C-section injuries and reduce delays. Quickly recognizing when a C-section is called for can reduce harm to both the mother and baby and prevent lifelong consequences.

Get Legal Help for C-Section Injuries

Roughly one-third of all live births in the United States each year are C-sections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Yet some doctors and hospitals remain chronically unprepared to handle them.

C-section injuries sustained during childbirth can have devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences for families.

If you or your child have suffered a C-section injury, you don’t have to face it alone.

The Birth Injury Justice Center partners with top birth injury lawyers across the country.

Together, they have recovered over $917 million for families impacted by preventable harm during childbirth, including C-section injuries.

Call us right now at (800) 914-1562 or fill out this form for a free case review. We may be able to help your family secure the justice and compensation you deserve.