Was birth injury leading to infant death caused by midwife?

For most people in Louisiana and across the country, a baby’s birth is an exciting and wonderful time. A new person is entering the world, and although the birth process itself can be painful and stressful in general, in most cases the end result is a happy and positive one for everyone involved. Sadly, however, this is not always the case, and for some, a birth injury can occur during the process, sometimes resulting in death. Such was the case for one family.

The incident happened in a different state last winter when a pregnant woman hired a midwife to help her deliver her baby at home. The midwife delivered the baby in the breech position. The baby boy died three days later, allegedly from brain injuries suffered during the birthing process. The mother is now suing the midwife for negligence.

The attorney involved in the case highlights the potential problems with home births. He cites the incompetence of some midwives, emphasizing that many do not have the necessary medical expertise to deal with difficult births. In this particular case, he says, the midwife does not have a medical licence of any sort, and she should have known to transfer the mother to a hospital setting given the circumstances.

This woman is now dealing with the grief of losing a child at a time when she should instead be celebrating each joyful step of her infant’s first year. She may find her loss especially difficult since it may have been caused by the negligent care of the person attending the birth. Louisiana residents who have experienced a birthing situation resulting in birth injury, possibly due to negligence, may wish to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney to discuss options for legal recourse.