Many serious birth injuries are preceded by warning signs, risk factors, or decision points where different medical choices could matter. Asking informed questions—and receiving clear, timely answers—can play a meaningful role in prevention.
McMath Woods trial lawyers have represented Arkansas families in complex medical malpractice and birth injury cases for more than 70 years. Because we are not a high-volume firm, we take on fewer cases; this allows us to examine medical records closely, consult qualified experts, and determine whether accepted standards of care were followed during labor and delivery.
This guide outlines the top questions to ask your doctor to help reduce the risk of birth injuries and ensure your concerns are addressed appropriately.
Why Asking the Right Questions Matters
Birth injuries can include:
- Fractures
- Brain hemorrhage
- Oxygen deprivation
- Neurological injury
While not every injury is preventable, clear communication and proactive care can reduce avoidable risks. Asking informed questions helps ensure that:
- Maternal and fetal risk factors are recognized and monitored
- Changes in labor or fetal condition are evaluated promptly
- Interventions such as assisted delivery or C-section are based on clear medical indications
- Parents understand warning signs that require immediate attention
In our experience reviewing birth injury cases, breakdowns in communication are a common theme. Questions that go unasked—or concerns that go unaddressed—can delay critical intervention. Thoughtful, direct dialogue between patients and providers is one of the most practical tools available to help protect both mother and child.
Questions to Ask During Pregnancy
1. Do my baby or I have any risk factors that require closer monitoring?
Certain maternal and pregnancy-related conditions—such as hypertension, diabetes, infection, or abnormal fetal growth—may require additional surveillance. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) emphasizes individualized risk assessment throughout pregnancy.
Follow-up questions may include:
- How often should monitoring occur?
- What symptoms should prompt an immediate call or visit?
- Should I be referred to a maternal–fetal medicine specialist?
2. How will my baby’s growth and well-being be monitored?
Fetal growth restriction and placental complications are associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes, including birth injury. Ask what tools will be used, such as ultrasounds or nonstress tests, and how results will be interpreted.
3. What signs during labor would require intervention or a C-section?
Delayed decision-making during labor can increase the risk of oxygen deprivation and trauma. ACOG guidance stresses the importance of responding promptly to fetal distress and labor abnormalities.
You may want to ask:
- What fetal heart rate patterns are concerning?
- Who makes the decision if an emergency C-section becomes necessary?
- How quickly can that decision be acted on?
Questions to Ask About Labor and Delivery Methods
4. When are forceps or vacuum extraction appropriate—and what are the risks?
Assisted deliveries can be medically necessary, but they also carry risks, including intracranial hemorrhage and nerve damage.
Ask your provider:
- Under what circumstances would these tools be used?
- What training and experience do you have with assisted delivery?
- What alternatives exist if delivery is not progressing?
5. How will my baby be monitored for oxygen deprivation?
Conditions such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) result from inadequate oxygen to the brain before, during, or after birth. Prompt recognition and intervention are critical.
Questions to Ask After Delivery
6. What signs of injury or distress should be evaluated immediately?
Some birth injuries may not be immediately apparent. Ask what symptoms—such as seizures, feeding difficulties, abnormal muscle tone, or unusual lethargy—should trigger further evaluation or imaging.
7. If something seems wrong, how quickly can specialists assess my baby?
Early diagnosis can affect treatment options and outcomes. Timely referral to neonatology or pediatric neurology can be critical in cases involving suspected brain injury or trauma.
Informed Questions Protect Families—Accountability Protects the Future
When questions remain after a birth injury, what families often need most is clarity. At McMath Woods, we help parents understand whether an injury resulted from an unavoidable medical complication or whether earlier action, closer monitoring, or different decisions might have changed the outcome. Our role is to carefully review the timeline of care, identify critical decision points, and explain—plainly and honestly—what the medical records show.
If your child was injured during labor or delivery and you are left searching for answers, we invite you to speak with us. A consultation with McMath Woods allows you to ask your own questions, understand your legal options, and decide how to move forward in a way that protects your child’s long-term needs and your family’s future.
