Birth injuries most commonly happen during delivery. While some of them happen completely outside of a doctor’s ability to control or prevent, others can be the result of a lack of care from your medical team. Your Pennsylvania birth injury attorneys at Latona Law want to help you keep yourself and your child healthy. Here are a few tips to help you prevent birth injuries during delivery.
Research Your Doctors Ahead of Time
Did you know that you can research your doctor’s reputation online before you commit to working with them? Do a little digging and see what others have to say about working with them. If most sites have positive reviews and testimonials suggesting that the doctor shows adequate or superior care to their patients, you’ll likely have a similar experience.
But if the reviews mention birth injuries, complications, or other concerns, you may want to look for a different doctor. If you choose to look for a new medical care provider, be sure to schedule a consultation with each one you’re considering. Ask about their experience, their injury rate, their delivery plan, and any other information you think will help you reach a decision.
Research the Hospital’s Departments
The doctor delivering your baby and overseeing your care isn’t the only one you’ll want to research. Even the most skilled doctors can’t guarantee that the delivery will go smoothly and without complications. If your child needs to be admitted to the NICU or you’re in need of surgery as a result of your pregnancy, you want those teams to be just as skilled as your physician. Research the hospital’s other departments and see what people have to say about the care they receive. You may need to choose a different hospital (and potentially a new doctor) for your delivery if the reviews are bad.
Make Sure You’re Receiving Good Prenatal Care
It’s important to be willing to self-advocate at every stage of your pregnancy, especially during the early stages. Receiving proper prenatal care can dramatically reduce the risk of injury to yourself and your child at delivery. Make sure you’re going to routine checkups, following your doctor’s advice, and getting answers to your questions or concerns quickly long before delivery.
If your concerns are going unaddressed or your care team is dismissive, stand up for yourself. If there are tests that you feel would benefit you and your child, push your team to run those tests. If the team refuses or otherwise dismisses your concerns out of hand, consider switching to a new provider.
Understand the Early Warning Signs of Fetal Distress
Early signs of fetal distress can easily be caught when your medical care team is checking for them in the hospital. But there are some signs that you can watch for yourself as you approach your delivery date: vaginal bleeding and cramping.
Both vaginal bleeding and cramping can be a sign that something is wrong in utero. If you experience either symptom, call your doctor immediately. If they’re severe, go to the emergency room as soon as possible. This can help you get the care you need and may dramatically decrease the risk of injuries to you or your child.
Speak With a Pennsylvania Birth Injury Attorney
Preventing birth injuries is always the goal. But sometimes, accidents and malpractice can lead to severe, life-altering injuries that could have been prevented. If you or your child were injured during delivery, you may be able to hold your medical care team accountable. Schedule a consultation with a Pennsylvania birth injury attorney at Latona Law today.