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While giving birth by Cesarean section can be a traumatic experience in many ways, it is also a very safe procedure in the modern age, thanks to numerous advances in medical science, practices, and technology. However, even with the best possible medical care, receiving a C-section typically results in scar tissue building up around the incision site, as well as the uterine wall becoming weaker at that incision site.
These two factors can make vaginal birth a potentially risky process for some mothers who get pregnant again after receiving a C-section in the past, and doctors who fail to account for those risks can sometimes cause serious harm to their patients as a result. If you were harmed in this way recently, seeking help from a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney will be crucial to effectively seeking civil recovery, so contacting a Philadelphia vaginal birth after Cesarean delivery injury lawyer from Lowenthal & Abrams should be among your top priorities.
What Risks Are Associated with VBACs?
When the Cesarean section procedure was first developed, doctors tended to advise patients who received the procedure to avoid attempting to give birth vaginally if they had another child in the future, due to an increased risk of uterine ruptures and other dangerous complications. Then, in the 1980s and 1990s, some evidence surfaced that vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC) was safer than previously thought, and doctors began to recommend it to some patients who wanted to minimize recovery time after giving birth.
Nowadays, though, there is an extensive body of research indicating that the initial hesitation doctors felt towards recommending VBACs was well-founded, even with the use of modern medications like Pitocin to artificially induce labor. In addition to uterine ruptures, vaginal birth after Cesarean delivery can also cause injuries like recto-vaginal fistulas and hematomas, as well as fetal distress, which may have life-altering repercussions—all things a qualified Philadelphia attorney may be able to help file a civil suit over.
Possible Grounds to Sue over VBAC Injuries
Beyond just ensuring their patients receive high-quality and considerate care, physicians are also expected to clearly explain all known risks associated with particular procedures and obtain informed consent from patients before proceeding with them. With that in mind, one of the more common causes of action for lawsuits in Philadelphia, specifically over VBAC injuries, is a lack of informed consent, and more specifically, a doctor suggesting VBAC as a safe option without considering unique risk factors for their patient or informing the patient about known risks.
In other situations, it may be possible to sue over VBAC injuries stemming from a doctor’s failure to identify and react appropriately to signs that vaginal birth is not going smoothly and an emergency C-section is needed. Both these scenarios could constitute a legally actionable violation of the standard of care which obstetricians and other medical professionals assisting with childbirth owe to their patients, as an experienced malpractice lawyer can explain in more detail.
Speak With a Philadelphia Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery Injury Attorney
VBAC is not always dangerous for every patient, but it does carry some inherent risks that doctors must be aware of and prepared for if a patient wants to attempt it. If your doctor failed to account for those risks or failed to warn you about them at all, you may have grounds to file a civil suit against them over any physical trauma you or your child suffered due to your physician’s misconduct.
A Philadelphia vaginal birth after Cesarean delivery injury lawyer can be a steadfast ally by your side from start to finish of your legal proceedings. Call Lowenthal & Abrams today for the compassionate assistance you deserve.
