As you and your doctor discuss delivery options during your weekly, or more frequent, doctor’s appointments, the topic of elective delivery may come up. Is elective delivery something you should consider to help control the birth of your baby and if you agree to it, and your child has a birth injury, should you contact a Georgia medical malpractice attorney?
Potential Dangers of Elective Births
Before you agree to an elective birth that is induced for reasons other than medical necessity, you should consider that there are potential dangers for your child. Groups such as Leapfrog and March of Dimes are concerned about the growing trend of elective births and the possible complications for newborn babies.
Over the past few years significant elective birth injuries have been reported. Babies born through elective birth have a greater likelihood of suffering the following when compared to other babies:
- Neurodevelopmental problems
- Increased rates of disability
- Small brain sizes
If your doctor did not share these risks with you, if your baby was harmed, and if you would not have consented to an elective birth had you known the risks, then you may be able to recover damages. Of course, if your baby was harmed due to the negligence of a doctor or hospital, your family may also have legal rights to recovery just as you would after any Georgia birth injury resulting from negligence.
How to Contact a Georgia Medical Malpractice Attorney for Help
If your child has been hurt in an elective birth, please call 1.770.518.1133 today to speak with an experienced Georgia birth injury attorney about your rights and possible recovery. Our Georgia medical malpractice lawyers also encourage you to read our FREE report, Pregnancy & Childbirth, Common Practice and Common Errors to learn more.
*Source: Hospitals Urged to Track Quality in Obstetrics, Cheryl Clark for HealthLeaders Media, February 2, 2012