The Relationship Between CPD/Cord, Head Compression, and Diminished Fetal Oxygen Reserves
What is Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)?
Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) is a birth injury or condition that occurs when there is a size discrepancy between the maternal pelvis and the fetal head such that the baby’s head is too large to pass through the mother’s pelvis. Cephalopelvic disproportion occurs when the fetal head is too large, the maternal pelvis is too small, or the baby’s head is mispositioned as it enters the birth canal, presenting a significant risk to both the mother and the child.
Though problematic and potentially dangerous, diagnosing cephalopelvic disproportion can be difficult in the absence of extreme circumstances such as an abnormally small maternal pelvis or macrosomia (an abnormally large child), and often times it can only be identified by abnormalities in length of labor, abnormal fetal heart tones, or the presence of molding and/or caput during labor.
A Major Birth Complication of CPD: Head Compression
Perhaps the most significant danger that cephalopelvic disproportion carries with it is the potential for compression of either the fetal head or the umbilical cord, both of which can have severe consequences for a child in labor.
Though the causes of cephalopelvic disproportion vary, both of these risks are still endemic to cephalopelvic disproportion, as the passage of the fetal head through a limited space can cause compressive forces to occur to the head itself as well as potentially cause the umbilical cord to be compressed in the event that it is trapped between the fetal head and the maternal pelvis during labor. This can lead to brain damage from direct trauma or from a reduction of available oxygen to the fetus.
Fetal head compression typically occurs in the event that a large amount of pressure is placed on the skull during labor.
This level of pressure can potentially result in:
- Fetal nerve damage
- Skull fractures
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Brain damage such as
cerebral palsy
Though compression of the fetal head can occur as a result of other factors as well as in the absence of cephalopelvic disproportion, the risk is dramatically increased in the event that cephalopelvic disproportion is a known condition. Cephalopelvic disproportion presents a much higher degree of risk for fetal head compression, as the delicate fetal head must pass through a very unaccommodating maternal pelvis in addition to other potentially traumatic forces that are already present during labor.
Another Major Birth Complication of CPD: Umbilical Cord Compression
Umbilical cord compression is another dangerous condition that is often associated with cephalopelvic disproportion, as the potential for the umbilical cord to become trapped between the fetal head or body and the maternal pelvis is greatly increased when cephalopelvic disproportion is present.
Umbilical cord compression is dangerous and potentially life threatening in that it can cut off and severely deplete the baby’s supply of oxygen while in utero.
Prolonged compression of the umbilical cord as a result of cephalopelvic disproportion can have severe consequences, as a lack of oxygen can lead to fetal asphyxia and potentially result in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or “HIE,” if the oxygen deprivation is too prolonged.
With such severe and potentially damaging risks involved, it is important the physicians take careful steps in order to determine whether cephalopelvic disproportion is present prior to attempting a vaginal delivery.
Though making an exact determination of cephalopelvic disproportion may be difficult prior to delivery, doctors can take many steps to gain a sense of the special dimensions that the baby will be navigating during labor. These steps help paint a clearer picture of what must be done to ensure a safe delivery and a healthy child.
How Medical Professionals Can Help Address CPD
Ultrasonographic imaging and ultrasound examinations are both ways in which doctors can measure the size of the fetal head, and the assessment of the dimensions of the maternal pelvis through a process known as pelvimetry are important ways in which a physician may make a more accurate determination as to the existence of cephalopelvic disproportion. These steps are extremely. important to take in order to protect the child, as without making efforts towards obtaining a clearer picture of what conditions the baby will face during labor, it becomes far more difficult to assure a safe delivery and healthy outcome for the child.
Navigating Medical Malpractice Claims for CPD-Related Injuries
If injuries related to CPD occur and you or your lawyer suspect medical negligence caused them, it’s important to understand how to pursue a legal claim. The path to justice begins with determining whether the standard of care was breached during the prenatal period, labor, or delivery.
If you think the standard of care was breached, it’s important to take the following steps:
- Get Documentation and Records: Gather all medical records related to the pregnancy and delivery.
- Consult with Experts: Medical malpractice claims typically require testimony from medical experts. These professionals can determine if the care provided deviated from accepted medical practices. For CPD-related injuries, experts may examine whether there was a failure to diagnose CPD, improper monitoring of fetal distress, or a delay in deciding to perform a cesarean section.
- Obtain Legal Representation: Contact a birth injury law firm like Beam Legal Team that handles medical malpractice claims. An experienced law firm can provide guidance on your claim’s validity, interpret complex medical information, and help you understand the legal process ahead.
At Beam Legal Team, our compassionate and dedicated firm can help you navigate the birth injury claim process. We’ll ensure all the necessary steps are taken promptly and efficiently to seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
If you experienced CPD and were not given the correct medical care, please don’t hesitate to contact our Chicago birth injury law firm for a free consultation.
Originally published July 24, 2015.
