Dspite being a natural process, childbirth can occasionally cause physical harm to the newborn. Such an injury is what we refer to as a birth injury or birth trauma.
It is crucial to understand that parents have legal options if their newborn is injured during the childbirth process. In these situations, parents should seek advice from knowledgeable legal professionals, like the birth injury attorneys at ABC Law Centers.
Jesse Reiter founded the firm in 1997, and at the moment, American Baby and Child Law Centers is one of the very few firms that deals exclusively with birth injury cases. Their extensive arsenal of resources includes some of the best legal professionals in the country, the top medical experts, life-care planning professionals, and forensic specialists.
The sections below talk about some common birth injuries and the impact they have on newborns.
Common Types of Birth Injuries
There are numerous types of birth injuries. The most common ones are head injuries, nerve injuries, and fractures.
1) Head Injuries
These usually show up as scalp bruising and swelling, which usually goes away in a few days and is usually not dangerous. More severe head traumas can result in internal bleeding, including subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding underneath the brain’s innermost membrane), subdural hemorrhage, and epidural hematoma.
Subarachnoid hemorrhages are the most common type of intracranial hemorrhage in newborns. While newborns may experience apnea, seizures, or lethargy, they usually recover well. Subdural hemorrhages, less common today due to improved childbirth techniques, can exert pressure on the brain’s surface and potentially lead to seizures.
2) Nerve Injuries
Nerve injuries, such as brachial plexus injuries (including Erb’s palsy), can also occur during birth. Brachial plexus injuries damage the nerves that govern the muscles of the hands, arms, and shoulders. These injuries commonly originate from shoulder dystocia, where the baby’s shoulders become caught in the delivery canal.
Symptoms of brachial plexus injuries include a lack of muscle control or sensation in the affected limb, as well as paralysis or weakness. Facial paralysis can also occur due to pressure on the baby’s face during labor or delivery, mainly if forceps are used.
3) Fractures
Fractures, particularly of the clavicle (collarbone), are among the more common bone injuries during birth. Clavicle fractures can occur during difficult deliveries or breech presentations. A baby with a fractured clavicle may exhibit limited arm movement on the affected side, but healing typically occurs rapidly.
Other birth injuries include
- Bruising or forceps marks on the face or head
- Caput succedaneum (scalp swelling)
- Cephalohematoma (bleeding between the skull bone and its covering)
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessels in the eyes)
Several factors can escalate the risk of birth injuries. Some factors include
- Large babies (over 8 pounds, 13 ounces)
- Prematurity
- Cephalopelvic disproportion (where the mother’s pelvis is inadequate for vaginal delivery), dystocia (difficult labor or childbirth)
- Prolonged labor
- Abnormal birthing presentations (such as breech delivery)
- Maternal obesity
Final Thoughts
It’s crucial to be mindful of the potential for more severe injuries and their possible long-term effects. It is possible to guarantee that babies receive the best care and assistance possible by being aware of the different types of birth injuries, their causes, and the therapies that are available.
