Types of Umbilical Cord Insertion

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Types of Umbilical Cord Insertion

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

As Chicago birth injury lawyers, we understand that every parent wants the best for their child. The journey of pregnancy is a delicate and joyous time, filled with hopes and dreams for a healthy baby. However, sometimes unforeseen complications arise during childbirth,

One common birth complication involves different types of umbilical cord insertion. Umbilical cord insertion might not be preventable, but your doctors should always take proper measures to minimize the risks of injury during labor and delivery when umbilical cord problems arise. When they fail to do so, your child can suffer serious injuries.

Below, we explore different types of umbilical cord insertion and their potential implications. If you believe your doctor made errors and caused your child’s birth injury, reach out to the birth injury attorneys at Malman Law immediately for help.

Normal Umbilical Cord Insertion

The majority of pregnancies have a normal umbilical cord insertion, where the cord is centrally placed and evenly distributed throughout the placenta. This allows for efficient transfer of oxygen and nutrients between the mother and the baby. Normal cord insertion rarely leads to birth injuries or complications.

Marginal Cord Insertion

In cases of marginal cord insertion, the umbilical cord attaches to the edge or margin of the placenta instead of the center. This positioning can potentially impact the blood supply to the fetus. While marginal cord insertion doesn’t always result in complications, it can increase the risk of restricted blood flow, which may lead to growth problems or fetal distress during labor.

Velamentous Cord Insertion

Velamentous cord insertion occurs when the umbilical cord attaches to the fetal membranes rather than the placenta itself. As the blood vessels are exposed before reaching the placenta, this type of insertion poses a higher risk of compression or damage during labor. Complications associated with velamentous cord insertion include cord rupture, fetal distress, and potential oxygen deprivation.

Battledore Cord Insertion

Battledore cord insertion refers to a scenario where the umbilical cord attaches to the edge of the placenta, similar to marginal cord insertion. However, in battledore cord insertion, the cord inserts at the very edge, close to the cervix. This type of insertion may increase the risk of cord prolapse, a serious birth complication where the cord descends through the birth canal before the baby, potentially leading to oxygen deprivation and brain damage.

Insertion Abnormalities and Birth Injuries

While not all cases of abnormal umbilical cord insertion lead to birth injuries, there is a potential for complications depending on the specific circumstances. Birth injuries can occur due to reduced blood flow, cord compression, or other factors associated with abnormal cord insertion types. Some of the potential consequences of birth injuries related to umbilical cord complications include:

• Oxygen deprivation
• Brain damage
• Developmental delays
• Cerebral palsy

Understanding the different types of umbilical cord insertion and their potential implications is crucial for parents whose children have suffered birth injuries. While most pregnancies proceed without complications, it is essential to be aware of potential risk factors.

Legal Considerations

If your child has suffered a birth injury due to umbilical cord insertion abnormalities, it is important to consult our birth injury lawyers, who can evaluate your case. We understand medical malpractice laws and can assess whether negligence or improper management of the birth process played a role in your child’s injury.

If so, we can guide you through the legal process, help you seek compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, and future needs, and provide support during this challenging time.

If you suspect that negligence or medical malpractice contributed to your child’s birth injury, our firm can provide you with the guidance and support you need to pursue justice and secure the necessary resources for your child’s future well-being. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and seeking legal advice can help you navigate through the challenges ahead.

Was Your Child’s Birth Injury Due to Medical Malpractice?

Not every birth injury results from medical malpractice, as some injuries are unavoidable. We evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis, examining the following factors to determine whether you have a medical malpractice claim.

Doctor-Patient Relationship – To pursue a medical malpractice claim, you must establish that a doctor-patient relationship existed. This relationship typically forms when a doctor agrees to provide care, and you agree to receive their services. This relationship establishes a duty of care, where the doctor is responsible for providing a certain standard of care during the childbirth process.

The Breach of Duty of Care – To prove medical malpractice, you must demonstrate that the healthcare provider breached their duty of care by acting negligently or failing to meet the standard of care expected in the circumstances. This can be challenging and requires expert medical opinions to establish that the actions or inactions of the healthcare provider fell below the accepted standard.

Causation – In a birth injury case, you must establish a direct link between the medical professional’s negligence and the birth injury. This requires showing that the negligence directly caused or significantly contributed to the injury. Medical records, expert opinions, and thorough investigations are essential in establishing this causation.

Damages – To seek compensation for your child’s birth injury, you must demonstrate the damages suffered as a result of the negligence. These damages can include medical expenses, ongoing care and therapy costs, pain and suffering, and any future financial implications resulting from the injury.

Learn How Our Compassionate Chicago Birth Injury Attorneys Can Help

Determining whether your child’s birth injury was due to medical malpractice is a complex process that requires an experienced legal team. If you suspect medical negligence played a role in your child’s injury, don’t wait to consult with Malman Law to speak with a birth injury lawyer.

We can guide you through the legal process, conduct a thorough investigation, gather necessary evidence, and advocate on your behalf to seek justice and the compensation your child deserves.

Remember, holding medical professionals accountable for their actions not only helps you and your family but also promotes safer medical practices for future patients. Contact us for your free case evaluation today.