Are Birth Injuries More Prevalent After Hours? February 6, 2018.

Babies have no concept of time and when labor starts, labor starts. It could be right after lunch or in the wee hours of the morning. Regardless of what the clock says, pregnant women and their partners head to the hospital and prepare for the addition of a new family member.

All labor and delivery cases carry some risk, but does the time of day affect the overall outcome of a birth? The statistics may surprise you.

The Shocking Facts About After-Hours Birth Injuries

In a study published in 2012 by BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, data from the Netherlands Perinatal Registry was collected about births that occurred between 2003 and 2007. Some infants, such as those with a high priori risk of morbidity, were not counted in the study.

The results revealed that labor and delivery that occurred at night and involved an augmented delivery or an emergency C-section increased the risk of an adverse outcome. It was noted that weekend deliveries did not display this same increased risk, only deliveries that occurred at night on weekdays. The study estimated that between 126 and 141 births every year can result in adverse outcomes simply due to delivery occurring at night.

Was Your Baby the Victim of an After-Hours Birth Injury?

It can be difficult to understand why births that occur at night would be riskier than births that occur at any other time. If your child was delivered at night in a hospital and you experienced complications or your child was diagnosed with a birth injury, negligence or carelessness may have been a factor. If your child has a developmental delay or a condition such as cerebral palsy, it may be connected to when and how your child was born.

Not all birth injuries are noticeable right away and may not present symptoms until later in life. In fact, many parents don’t connect their child’s new disabilities to their birth. It’s important to fully evaluate the facts of the case in order to determine if negligence influenced the outcome and whether an avenue for compensation exists.

At The Mellino Law Firm, we work with hundreds of families touched by birth injuries. We can help you seek the full and fair compensation and justice your family deserves after a traumatic birth and its often long-lasting effects.

Contact The Mellino Law Firm at (440) 333-3800 to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. We are available to help you hold those responsible for your child’s birth injuries accountable for their actions, and also to help you recover compensation for the extensive medical care your child may need due to their injuries. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our firm today for experienced legal help.