Chicago Umbilical Cord Strangulation Attorney
Babies are able to grow and develop during a pregnancy because the umbilical cord provides them with what they need until childbirth. While a nuchal cord can be quite common in pregnancy and childbirth, it can usually be resolved without causing any harm to the newborn. However, in some cases, umbilical cord strangulation can result in oxygen deprivation, leading to severe brain damage and other harms, and in some cases, stillbirth. If your baby suffered serious injuries due to umbilical cord strangulation, you could be eligible to file a birth injury claim against one or more liable healthcare providers. An experienced Chicago umbilical cord strangulation attorney at our firm can speak with you today about your case.
Understanding How Umbilical Cords Work During Pregnancy
To have a clear understanding of how an umbilical cord strangulation injury can occur during pregnancy or childbirth, it is essential to learn more about the umbilical cord and the role it plays in a pregnancy. As Healthline explains, the umbilical cord is the life source for a baby during pregnancy because it “gives them all the blood, oxygen, and nutrients that they need.”
Causes of Umbilical Cord Strangulation or Nuchal Cord in Chicago
What is umbilical cord strangulation? According to Healthline, this condition or complication is known as “nuchal cord,” and it is “the term used by medical professionals when your baby has their umbilical cord wrapped around their neck.” Nuchal cord can occur during pregnancy and before you ever go into labor, and it can also happen during labor and delivery. As Healthline underscores, nuchal cord affects about 1 out of every 3 babies, so it is “extremely common,” and most babies can be born “perfectly healthily with the cord wrapped around their neck.”
However, in some circumstances, nuchal cord can pose serious injury risks to the baby and can sometimes result in death. A healthcare provider must diagnose nuchal cords through an ultrasound, and must ensure that you are properly monitored during childbirth so that the baby is not seriously injured. A majority of complications that result from nuchal cords do occur during labor, especially if contractions result in the umbilical cord becoming compressed. In those circumstances, your baby can be deprived of oxygen and can experience a declining heart rate. If necessary, a healthcare provider should order an emergency cesarean (also known as a C-section) to prevent harm to your newborn.
Liability in Chicago for Nuchal Cords or Umbilical Cord Strangulation
Although there are no ways to prevent nuchal cords, healthcare providers have a duty to identify them, to monitor the mother during the pregnancy and childbirth, and to take appropriate steps to prevent injury to the baby. Who is liable for an umbilical cord strangulation injury? Any of the following parties could be responsible:
- Obstetrician, or ob-gyn, who provided prenatal care;
- Nurse practitioner who provided prenatal care;
- Ultrasound technician;
- Obstetrician, or ob-gyn, who delivered the baby;
- Nurse providing care in the delivery room;
- Nurse practitioner who delivered the baby;
- Nurse midwife who delivered the baby; and/or
- Healthcare facility where the baby was born.
Contact Our Umbilical Cord Strangulation Lawyers in Chicago
If a nuchal cord resulted in injury to your baby, our Chicago umbilical cord strangulation attorneys can assist you. Contact Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC today.
