Whether you are pregnant for the first time or have given birth before, labour and delivery can be a daunting prospect. It is often painful and uncomfortable, and can also be a bit scary. While most childbirths proceed normally, in some cases, labour does not progress. This is known as prolonged labour. Prolonged labour occurs […]
Does Aspirin Use During Pregnancy Increase The Risk of Cerebral Palsy?
Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made headlines in the United States when he claimed that Tylenol use during pregnancy causes autism and should be avoided. While there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, there are legitimate concerns about another over-the-counter drug: aspirin. Some studies have found that the use of aspirin and other […]
All About Chorioamnionitis and “Intrauterine Infections”
Learning that you are pregnant can be incredibly exciting. It can also be scary for many expectant parents. There are many potential complications associated with pregnancy, labour, and delivery, some of which can affect the health of both mother and baby. One such complication is a serious infection that is caused by bacteria entering the […]
Subgaleal Hematoma in Newborn
A subgaleal hematoma is a collection of blood that forms after a subgaleal hemorrhage, or brain bleed. The bleed occurs in the space between a baby’s skull and their skin. When the subgaleal hemorrhage is not actively bleeding, it can form a hematoma (or collection of partially solid blood). This condition is most commonly caused […]
Placenta Previa Effects on Your Baby
The placenta is a critical organ that develops during pregnancy to nurture a growing fetus. The umbilical cord supplies essential nutrients and oxygen to the baby throughout pregnancy. It also carries away the baby’s waste. Unfortunately, issues with the placenta can put the health of both the mother and baby at risk. Placenta previa occurs […]
Rights as a NICU Parent
When your baby is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), you might feel incredibly overwhelmed, stressed, and sad. Having your baby whisked away from you shortly after birth can be devastating – even more so when you are worried about their health. When you get to the NICU and have to deal with rules […]
Parent’s Guide to a NICU Stay
The birth of a new baby is incredibly exciting – and can also be scary. Newborns can be quite delicate. They may also have medical problems at birth or as a result of labour and delivery that requires them to be transferred to a specialized hospital unit, the NICU. The NICU – or neonatal intensive […]
Cerebral Palsy in Preemies
Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a motor disability that is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the brain during pregnancy, birth, or the first few years of a child’s life. CP is a group of chronic disorders that can affect movement, posture, and muscle tone. While there isn’t a cure for cerebral palsy, […]
Lack of Oxygen at Birth
Giving birth – particularly in Canada – is generally regarded as safe. However, birth injuries can and do happen. One of the most common birth injuries involves a lack of oxygen during labour and delivery, which is commonly referred to as birth asphyxia. A baby who is deprived of oxygen during birth may have a […]
A Parent’s Perspective: from Despair and Confusion to Hope
As a parent of a child with a birth injury, I had to make the very difficult decision to file a medical malpractice claim. My son’s birth injury was entirely preventable, and led to a diagnosis that will affect him for the rest of his life. While the choice to file a birth injury claim […]
The Truth About Medical Consent Forms
Medical consent forms are frequently signed by patients prior to undergoing medical or surgical treatment. However, the legal effect of the medical consent form is not well understood by many Canadians. It is a common misunderstanding that a medical consent form signed before medical or surgical treatment prevents an injured patient from claiming against healthcare […]
Did your Child Suffer a Birth Injury? What You Need to Know to Effectively Protect Your Child’s Rights
When a child suffers a birth injury, there really isn’t a guide that tells you exactly how to handle the different situations that arise. Parents are often overwhelmed with the challenges of parenting a newborn who may have significant medical needs. At the same time, they are dealing with their own emotions about what happened. […]
If I Ask Questions, Will My Child’s Medical Care Be Compromised?
One of the common fears we at BILA hear from families when they are contemplating bringing a legal claim for compensation for injuries to their child at birth, is whether pursuing a legal claim against doctors or nurses will compromise their child’s future medical care. Families may be particularly concerned if they live in a […]
I Am Already Overwhelmed – I Don’t Have Time to Deal with a Lawsuit
One of the biggest reasons why parents of children who have sustained birth injuries don’t reach out to lawyers is that most of them are overwhelmed with the day-to-day reality of caring for a child who has high medical needs. This is completely understandable, as facing both the emotional and practical challenges associated with parenting […]
I Don’t Want to Blame My Doctor – They Did Everything That They Could
After a child suffers a birth injury, parents often experience a number of conflicting emotions. They may feel guilt, anger, sorrow, and fear for their child’s future. They may also have conflicting feelings about pursuing litigation against the at-fault medical provider. During pregnancy, labour and delivery, parents often form a close bond with their doctor. […]
