Catastrophic injuries, or a fatality, can be a result of a baby starved of oxygen at birth. If there is a period when the oxygen supply is interrupted or stopped for a period of just minutes, brain damage can start to take place.
It is vital that continuous oxygen is available to the baby during a pregnancy and up to its safe delivery. When an event occurs jeopardising the vital supply of oxygen it is essential for the warning signs to be acted on by medical staff with little to no delay.
When is a baby starved of oxygen at birth?
A number of scenarios can lead to a baby’s oxygen supply being reduced or stopped starving the brain of critical oxygen:
During pregnancy or labour
Even in textbook pregnancies, a baby can suddenly show signs of being in distress. This may be picked up via a CTG reading showing an abnormal heart rate.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) sets out clear guidelines on how medical professionals should respond in this situation. It advises that a change in a baby’s heart rate from normal to pathological signals a risk factor.
Maternity staff are advised to continuously monitor the real time CTG reading. In cases where the baby has an abnormal heart rate persistently for nine minutes, taking steps to speed up the delivery is advised to prevent serious irreversible harm.
During a baby’s delivery
A baby can be starved of oxygen at birth if there are delays during a vaginal delivery or a caesarean that has not been provided in a timely manner.
The lack of oxygen at birth may occur during a vaginal birth if:
- The baby gets stuck because it is too large and a c-section may have been the safer option
- Progressing with a vaginal birth when the risks are high due to the baby being in breech position and medical staff failing to adequately address this
- The inappropriate use of forceps
Oxygen starvation during a caesarean section may occur due to a hospital failing to recognise an emergency situation and performing a c-section too late.
Oxygen deprivation after a baby’s birth
Permanent brain damage – and likely loss of mental capacity – as a result of a baby starved of oxygen at birth may occur after they are delivered.
If something goes wrong during a baby’s delivery and they are born not breathing, appropriate and timely resuscitation should take place. The consequences of any delays, or the administration of incorrect resuscitation, can cause a catastrophic outcome.
How is the brain affected by the lack of oxygen?
The brain, like all organs of the body, requires oxygen. Babies are very vulnerable but, in instances when their oxygen supply is interrupted before, during or just after their birth, this emergency situation can be mitigated with appropriate and importantly, a time sensitive medical response.
Speed is of the essence
To avoid an irreversible brain injury which may lead to a complex lifelong disability, time should be sharply in focus.
A hospital must react quickly and provide the correct medical intervention without delay. When appropriate medical care is given when red flags indicate an emergency, all injury can, and should, be avoided.
Baby starved of oxygen at birth – what should I do?
If you believe that your baby suffered a lack of oxygen and your hospital may be responsible, our birth injury experts are here to listen, and help.
Families do not need to wait for a formal diagnosis to start a claim for compensation. Interim payments can be secured while a claim is investigated to ensure that a child’s care needs can be met in the meantime.
If a preventable birth injury has caused the loss of mental capacity, there is no time limit to starting the legal process for justice and compensation. Past and future care costs are carefully calculated.
Our experts have a strong track record of successfully settling multi-million claims – even for families previously let down by other law firms.
Hear more from the families we have helped here and contact us today.