Umbilical Cord Complications & Abnormalities Claims

If your baby has been affected by an umbilical cord complication that you believe could have been avoided or better handled by the attending midwives or obstetricians, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation. At JMW, we have the experience and expertise to ensure you have the best possible chance of getting the outcome you deserve. For expert legal advice from the team at JMW call us on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Our understanding and sympathetic solicitors can support your legal case on a no win, no fee basis.

How JMW Can Help

The specialist negligence solicitors here at JMW have a long history of recovering compensation for parents who have suffered as a result of medical negligence.

We also understand how difficult it is for parents to consider embarking on what can be a lengthy legal process following a complication at birth. However, our solicitors are friendly, approachable and sympathetic, offering easy-to-understand information and advice throughout, making the course of action as hassle-free as possible.

You may be able to make a clinical negligence claim if your baby experienced an umbilical cord complication before or during labour that was:

• Not dealt with correctly
• Made worse by the attending medical professionals
• Avoidable

Headed by leading solicitor Eddie Jones, our clinical negligence team is one of the most highly regarded in the UK and we are here to guide you throughout the process, offering support at every step. Our team consists of members of both the Law Society's specialist panel for clinical negligence and the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) solicitor panel.

Umbilical Cord Complications and Abnormalities Explained

Complications and abnormalities of the umbilical cord can sometimes occur during labour. They can result in foetal distress or other serious birth injuries due to the importance of the cord to the child. Sadly, serious complications can even lead to the death of the baby.

Examples of umbilical cord complications include:

• Umbilical prolapse - This is when the cord slips into the vagina before the baby passes into the birth canal, potentially decreasing its blood and oxygen supply
• Umbilical cord compression - This can occur should the cord wrap around the baby's body or neck during delivery, thus decreasing blood flow and oxygen supply
• Umbilical cord knot - This is when knots form in the cord, which usually happens due to the cord being too long. This can result in the baby's oxygen supply being cut off

These abnormalities can lead to problems during pregnancy or labour, as well as serious brain injuries and heart defects in the baby. It can also lead to death if the baby is deprived of oxygen for too long.

What does the umbilical cord do?

Connecting a baby in the womb to its mother, the umbilical cord is typically around 50 cm long and runs from the placenta in the womb to the baby's stomach.

The role of the umbilical cord is to transport oxygen and nutrients from the placenta to the baby's bloodstream. Following the birth of the baby, the umbilical cord will be clamped at each end before being cut, which will leave a small stump on the baby's tummy that, when healed, will form into a belly button.