Birth Injury 101: Understanding Causes Of Common Birth Injuries

Having a baby should be a joyous time. The family is eager to welcome a new baby into the world. However, in some unfortunate cases, the baby is injured during childbirth. This can be a scary time for new parents. Although a birth injury can be something as simple as minor bruising, more severe injuries such as nerve or brain damage are also possible. Some of the more common birth injuries are outlined below.

Sometimes a babys face will become bruised simply passing through the birth canal. This can cause temporary bruising and will disappear a few days after birth. Similarly, if forceps are used during the delivery process there may be marks or bruising on the babys head which will disappear in a few days. But, in some instances, forceps have been known to cause depressed skull fractures and other severe injuries. If forceps are used incorrectly, the family may be able to pursue a medical malpractice claim for injuries.

Another concern is injury to the baby's facial nerves during delivery. During the labor process, the baby is under a tremendous amount of physical pressure as it passes through the birth canal. This can cause injury to some of the nerves in the babys face, which can lead to paralysis. In most cases the nerve is merely bruised and will heal itself in a few weeks. In severe cases, the nerve may have to be surgically repaired. Although this situation is not always preventable, in some instances damage to the baby's facial nerves may indicate negligence on the part of the medical professional overseeing the delivery.

Erbs Palsy can occur when the group of nerves that controls the movements of the arms and hands, called the brachial plexus, is damaged. This type of injury typically results from difficult labor, and may be attributed to medical negligence in some cases. If the injury to the brachial plexus is minor, the baby should recover completely in a few months. In the most severe cases, there could be permanent nerve damage and the baby might need physical therapy and/or surgery.

Brain injury is also possible during delivery. Most brain injuries that occur during the birth process are due to lack of oxygen because of the twisting of the umbilical cord or blood loss. If the baby is deprived of oxygen for a prolonged period of time, brain damage in the form of seizure disorders, cerebral palsy, or mental impairment can occur. Your physician should monitor the baby throughout the delivery process to avoid potential complications that may lead to brain damage.