Medical malpractice can cause fatal birth injuries to mother and baby. Though several birth injuries are unavoidable, others are preventable. The most common birth injuries happen to your baby during the delivery process. Many birth injuries can have long-term birth injury effects on your baby.
Following are the most common birth injuries:
Cerebral Palsy
2 or 3 out of every 1,000 children have cerebral palsy. This birth injury (in many cases) leads to brain damage that occurred during the delivery process. Common causes of Cerebral Palsy are improper monitoring of the laboring mother, lack of adequate birth techniques, and failure to monitor fetal distress during labor. This birth injury can lead to many health issues like vision problems, speech problems, and learning disabilities.
Facial Paralysis
If a baby’s face has a lot of pressure placed on it during the delivery process, it can cause damaged facial nerves. Facial Paralysis is common when forceps are used to pull the baby out. The baby may have some problem in moving the affected side of the face.
Oxygen Deprivation
Oxygen deprivation during the childbirth process can lead to brain injuries. These fatal brain injuries can cause cerebral palsy. Brain injuries occur when the doctor fails to monitor the baby during the delivery process. Physical problems and intellectual disabilities can occur due to oxygen deprivation.
Cephalohematoma
Cephalohematoma is a birth injury marked by bleeding under a cranial bone. A raised bump may show a few hours after birth. This birth injury may bring some risks such as anemia, meningitis, jaundice, or hypotension.
Brachial Plexus
Brachial Plexus involves the damage of nerves that go from the upper spine to the neck, shoulder, and hands. This birth injury can cause temporary or permanent damage. In severe cases, this damage can result in complete paralysis when the nerve roots are dislodged from the spine.
Fractured Collarbones
Bone fractures are more likely to occur during a complicated delivery. These fractures heal on their own but take enough time to recover.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injury is one of the most serious birth injuries. These injuries occur due to the forceful use of forceps that cause cord damage. It may lead to paralysis and neurological problems.
Caput Succedaneum
Swelling of the scalp, which looks discolored is the sign of caput succedaneum. This birth injury is generally caused due to pressure on the scalp during the delivery process. This injury generally heals on its own.
Perinatal Asphyxia
Perinatal Asphyxia may occur when the baby doesn’t receive enough oxygen. An infant with a pale complexion or one which experiences shock or coma could be suffering from this devastating birth injury.
If your baby suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, it is important to talk to an experienced lawyer or attorney or law firm. A professional Birth Injury Lawyer Philadelphia or attorney will provide legal support and help you get the maximum possible compensation.
