Common Causes Of Fetal Asphyxia
            

Fetal asphyxia is a broad term that includes any asphyxia during, before, or after the birth process that is sufficient enough to cause neurological damage in newborns. In layman’s terms, it occurs when a newborn’s body does not receive enough oxygen. This inadequate oxygen supply usually leads to hypoxia—a condition where a portion of the body, such as its organs, does not receive enough oxygen. It may also include acidosis, which is where the body builds up too much internal acid. Fetal asphyxia can cause serious birth injuries for newborns.

What Are Some Common Causes of Fetal Asphyxia?

Generally speaking, the causes of fetal asphyxia are a result of interference with the blood supply. This can take several forms.

• Physiological changes during labor and delivery
  This includes changes due to fear, pain, and stress that the mother may be experiencing.
• Premature separation of the placenta
  The placenta contains nutrients and everything that the baby needs in order to survive. If the placenta separates from the uterus before the baby is born, both the baby’s life and the mother’s life may be at risk.
• Umbilical cord compression
  This can take several forms. For example, the cord may wrap around the fetus while it is still inside the mother. But the heart of the cause is that anything that decreases blood flow through the umbilical cord is a concern.
• Too-frequent contraction of the uterus during delivery
  If the uterus contracts too frequently while labor and delivery are occurring, the uteroplacental flow may be affected.

Experienced Birth Injury Attorney

The days after a newborn is born should be filled with hope and celebration, not medical visits and concerns about neurological birth injuries or the long-lasting impact of fetal asphyxia. Birth injuries can have lifelong consequences, and while it’s not always possible to undo the damage, it may be possible to obtain financial support for care and treatment. If you believe that the medical staff was negligent during the birth of your child, which in turn led to birth injuries, we are here to help you navigate your options. Contact us today for more information about what might be the best strategy for obtaining compensation from the liable parties.