# Does Prolonged Labor Raise Cerebral Palsy Risk?
Prolonged labor can increase the risk of cerebral palsy in newborns, primarily through oxygen deprivation during the birthing process. When labor extends beyond normal timeframes, babies may not receive adequate oxygen, which can cause brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy later in life.
## How Prolonged Labor Affects Babies
During labor, babies depend on the placenta to deliver oxygen through the umbilical cord. When labor is prolonged, the baby’s oxygen supply can become compromised. This oxygen deprivation, called hypoxia, is particularly dangerous because it can cause irreversible brain damage. The longer a baby goes without sufficient oxygen, the greater the risk of permanent neurological injury.
Medical professionals are trained to recognize when labor is taking too long and to intervene appropriately. However, mistakes in managing prolonged labor are among the most common causes of preventable cerebral palsy cases. Research shows that failing to manage prolonged labor and causing oxygen deprivation is a significant medical error that can lead to cerebral palsy lawsuits.
## Medical Errors During Prolonged Labor
One major medical mistake involves the improper use of labor-inducing medications like Pitocin and Cytotec. When doctors administer too high a dose of these medications, it can cause uterine hyperstimulation, meaning the uterus contracts too frequently and forcefully. This complication directly deprives the baby of oxygen and increases hypoxia risk, potentially causing the brain damage associated with cerebral palsy.
Another critical error is delaying or failing to perform a necessary cesarean section when a baby is in distress during prolonged labor. Studies indicate that about 11 percent of birth injury claims involved delayed C-sections, often when babies were clearly in distress. These delays can be catastrophic because they allow oxygen deprivation to continue unchecked.
## The Broader Context of Cerebral Palsy Causes
While prolonged labor is a significant risk factor, it is important to understand that cerebral palsy has multiple causes. Research indicates that about 70 percent of cerebral palsy cases arise from events during pregnancy, while 20 percent stem from labor and delivery events. This means that while labor complications matter, many cases of cerebral palsy originate earlier in pregnancy.
Perinatal complications beyond prolonged labor also contribute to cerebral palsy risk. These include hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, neonatal seizures, jaundice, and other birth-related complications. Additionally, premature birth is a major risk factor, with research showing that babies born before 28 weeks of pregnancy face the highest risk for cerebral palsy.
## Prevention and Early Intervention
The good news is that many birth injuries from prolonged labor are preventable. Estimates suggest that up to 50 percent of birth injuries result from errors made by healthcare professionals during labor and delivery. This underscores the importance of proper medical monitoring, timely decision-making, and appropriate use of interventions like cesarean sections.
Early diagnosis and treatment of cerebral palsy also improve outcomes significantly. Children who receive early intervention benefit from treatments that more effectively impact the developing brain. Modern diagnostic tools like MRI scans are helping doctors identify cerebral palsy earlier and determine its underlying causes, whether related to birth complications, genetic factors, or a combination of both.
## Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12748543/
https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com/legal/statistics/
https://www.grossmanjustice.com/new-jersey-cerebral-palsy-lawyer/
