A birth injury can cause death or disability, leading to a lifetime of pain and suffering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4 million births in the United States annually, so over 1 out of every ten babies could suffer from such an injury.
If your child has suffered a birth injury, make sure you know all about it and how best to move forward. Here is what every parent should know:
A birth injury can be acute or chronic. An acute injury happens during the birthing process and manifests shortly after birth; examples include Erb’s Palsy and Cerebral Palsy. A chronic injury occurs either during or after birth but displays itself six months or later; examples include paralysis and brain damage.
What are the causes of birth injuries?
Though some birth injuries cannot be prevented, some steps can be taken to lower the risk of injury.There are injuries caused by negligence during labor and delivery.
These types of injuries often occur from a doctor or nurse not following protocol. Parents need to understand what causes these injuries so they can protect themselves. In cases where your baby is injured as a result of negligence.
It is possible to pursue legal action against the medical professionals involved. However, to do this, you will need to consult legal professionals who have experience of personal injury cases.
Injuries can occur during labor and delivery. Sometimes these injuries will be evident right after the birth. In other cases, injured babies may show no signs of damage until months or years later. This is because the brain, spinal cord, and other organs continue to develop after birth. When these organs or tissues are injured during labor and delivery, they can cause life-long problems.
Some types of birth injuries
A brachial plexus injury is a group of five nerves that control movement in an injured person’s shoulder and upper arm. A brachial plexus injury is often caused by a doctor’s failure to perform a c-section in the way it should be performed. The injured person may suffer from:
Abandoned bundle: This type of birth injury occurs when the brachial plexus nerves are injured during the birth process. The exact mechanism of injury is unclear, but it could result from traction on the nerves when forceps are used or being pulled around during delivery.
Erb’s palsy: damage to the bundle of nerves that run alongside the clavicle bone in the shoulder can cause This injury. The injury is caused by pressure on the brachial plexus during delivery. This can be exacerbated if forceps are used.
Cranial and Spinal cord Injury: The spinal cord and the brain stem develop at around the same time in a fetus, so injuries to one can cause damage to both. Any injury to these areas can cause long-term neurological problems.
Decreased oxygen to the infant during delivery: This type of injury occurs when there is not enough oxygen delivered to an infant during labor or birth, resulting in brain damage and other complications.
It may be because of prolonged labor, forcing the baby’s body to work harder. Respiratory distress syndrome can also result in this injury, which occurs when a baby’s red blood cells cannot carry oxygen. The medical staff needs to keep a close eye on a laboring woman and the baby.
Infant trauma during delivery: Physical trauma or injuries sustained by an infant may be caused by medical malpractice. This may include fractures and breaks, bruising, or other internal injuries caused during birth as a result of doctor error.
What to do in case of birth injuries?
Birth injuries can cause physical and cognitive disabilities, and sometimes, may be fatal. All 50 states in the United States would offer compensation for parents who experience significant damage because of their child’s unexplained or unexpected death if they were in the care of a physician.
Birth injuries can also include vision impairment and hearing loss. Most doctors agree it is impossible to prevent all birth injuries, but pregnant women can help reduce the risk of birth injuries if they occur.
The most important thing for expectant parents to remember is that not medical malpractice causes all damages. This means a physician can only be held accountable if you can show proof that they were negligent or did not act accordingly in treating the patient