As a birth injury lawyer, I am often asked what is HIE or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy? HIE occurs when a newborn’s brain is deprived of oxygen for a sufficient period of time during the delivery process to cause death of brain tissue. Unlike other body tissues, brain cells do not regenerate. Once they are damaged, they [...]
Two recent studies underscore the risk of birth injuries with a home delivery. The first study compared the mortality rate of home delivery with in-hospital delivery. Historically, the switch from home birth to hospital birth resulted in a 90% decrease in neonatal mortality and a 99% decrease in the deaths of mothers in childbirth. Home [...]
Birth injury related to mismanagement of preeclampsia has been well-studied and reported on. Preeclampsia is a common condition affecting many pregnant women both during pregnancy and during the postpartum period. It affects 5-8% of all pregnancies in the U.S. While it can be asymptomatic in some women, symptoms may include high blood pressure, headaches, nausea, [...]
Birth injuries occur around the time of delivery, resulting in cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy and other permanent neurological injuries. The risk of injury increases with multiple gestation births, such as twins and triplets. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) has issued recommendations to minimize the risk of injury during management of a twin or [...]
