C-sections are very common and generally very safe. They happen every day, and many children are born successfully, without injury to either the child or the mother. In fact, C-sections have saved lives when there are severe complications during birth.
That said, there are some potential risks and complications to be aware of. These can sometimes be an example of medical malpractice—if you don’t receive proper care during the procedure, if the doctor makes mistakes or for other such reasons. Let’s take a look at a few examples.
Risks for the child
For instance, some rare surgical injuries can happen during a C-section. The baby’s skin itself could be cut. In some cases, this could lead to an infection or other complications.
Additionally, there’s an issue called transient tachypnea. This is a breathing complication that sometimes happens to babies after a C-section, where they breathe too quickly.
Risks for the mother
Infection can also be a risk for the mother, especially if there are unintended incisions or if the wound is not kept clean. If certain blood vessels are cut, a C-section could lead to heavy bleeding and significant blood loss. Blood clots are also sometimes possible.
In some cases, mothers can suffer surgical injuries, such as cuts to the bowels or the bladder, which could increase the risk of infection. Finally, doctors need to monitor a patient’s symptoms to look for any potential complications, such as a negative reaction to anesthesia or a sudden decline in breathing rate, heart rate, blood oxygen levels and similar concerns.
While most C-sections are very safe, there are cases in which these issues occur. Family members and new mothers need to know exactly what legal steps they can take at this time.