Marginal Cord Insertion
Proper umbilical cord attachment is an essential part of a healthy pregnancy. In rare cases, pregnant women may experience marginal cord insertion, which restricts blood flow to the fetus and risks developmental challenges and birth injuries. If you suffered this debilitating complication because of medical malpractice, an experienced attorney can help you seek compensation and accountability.
What Is Marginal Cord Insertion?
Marginal cord insertion is when the umbilical cord attaches to the placental wall at the edges rather than the center. This unusual condition occurs in approximately 10 percent of pregnancies and can restrict blood and nutrient flow to the fetus, potentially causing slower fetal development.
Risk Factors for Marginal Cord Insertion
Marginal cord insertions happen when there is an abnormal arrangement of placental cells while the embryo attaches to the uterus during implantation. Various health and lifestyle factors can lead to an increased risk of a marginal cord insertion, including:
- First-time pregnancies
- Pregnancies with multiple babies (i.e., twins, triplets, etc.)
- Mothers over 35
- Use of assistive reproductive technology (for example, in vitro fertilization)
- Prior use of IUDs
- Mothers who have chronic health conditions like hypertension or diabetes
- Drug use during pregnancy
Possible Complications of Marginal Cord Insertion
A marginal cord insertion can lead to complications that cause birth injuries for a mother or child, potentially threatening a mother’s life or adversely affecting the baby’s health. Common pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes include:
- Delayed fetal development (also called intrauterine growth restriction) leading to low birth weight
- Preterm birth
- Fetal distress, which can lead to decreased fetal movement or low heart rate, potentially requiring an emergency cesarean section during delivery
- Low Apgar score, which evaluates a newborn’s health, requiring a newborn’s admission to the neonatal intensive care unit
- Preeclampsia, a health complication suffered by pregnant women that causes high blood pressure, swelling, and excessive protein in the urine
- Placental abruption, a potentially life-threatening complication for mothers and infants that occurs when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall before delivery
- Stillbirth or miscarriage
- Umbilical cord rupture
- Excessive bleeding during childbirth
When Marginal Cord Insertion Indicates Medical Malpractice
Obstetricians following reasonable care expectations should diagnose marginal cord insertion during early pregnancy ultrasounds and develop a treatment plan to reduce the risk of complications. Early identification of marginal cord insertions allows doctors to monitor fetal development and respond quickly to signs of fetal distress or delayed growth. Doctors who fail to identify marginal cord insertion and create a timely treatment plan to mitigate the risks of complications might be unable to respond quickly to signs of distress.
If your doctor failed to provide reasonable care and diagnose marginal cord insertion, they may be liable for any harm you or your child suffered.
An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can review the facts of your case to determine whether your healthcare provider’s negligence led to adverse health effects for you or your child. The knowledgeable birth injury attorneys of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. have recovered the following birth injury case results:
- $75,859,000 jury verdict after a girl suffered severe physical injuries at birth
- $50,300,000 jury verdict for a child who suffered a serious birth injury at Northshore University Health System
- $25,000,000 settlement in a birth injury case
Contact Our Experienced Birth Injury Attorneys Today
If you or your child were harmed due to undiagnosed or untreated marginal umbilical cord insertion, contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a compassionate birth injury attorney. We stand ready to advocate for your rights to compensation and justice.
