From learning that you are expecting to the delivery room, pregnancy can be one of the most rewarding times for parents-to-be. Unfortunately, that joy can be cut short by birth injuries. These issues that occur in the delivery process end up leading to a questioning of medical professionals, as well as your prenatal care. Here’s what you need to know about birth injuries and birth trauma to keep you aware of the running risks that can take place during childbirth Injuries.
What is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury is a child’s injury that may occur simply as a result of being when a child born. Birth injuries can range from something as superficial as a cut to, tragically, permanent brain damage. For example, when an expecting mother undergoes a C-section, there is a limited risk of injury when conducted safely. However, decisions made in the delivery room can result in issues for the mother and/or the newborn.
Some babies may require stitches or could suffer from permanent disfigurement as a result of tools being used improperly during the delivery process. This includes damage to major organs or amputation of limbs. If a Cesarean begins too late, a baby can experience a long-term lack of oxygen. If the C-section is performed too early, the newborn’s lungs may not be fully developed, potentially leading to brain damage. Tragically, there are also the rare occasions of wrongful death from these injuries.,
Common Birth Injuries
Birth injuries are more common when the fetus is larger than average. This trauma can also occur if the birth canal is too narrow, or if devices, like a vacuum or forceps, are used to deliver the child. Some of the more common birth injuries common birth injuries include:
- Swelling of the head
- Bleeding underneath the cranial bones
- Fracture of the collarbone
- Nerve damage
- Breakage of small blood vessels
These injuries can be as simple as a bruise or could lead to a permanent disability. In some cases, birth trauma can lead to paralysis or other chronic medical conditions that impact the newborn’s quality of life. Beyond the delivery room, poor prenatal care by an obstetrician and a mother’s care team can lead to “unforeseen” circumstances in the delivery process. This lack of proper care could impact the fetus throughout the pregnancy. There’s the potential failure to recognize conditions like preeclampsia, high blood pressure for the mother, or gestational diabetes.
When to Bring in an Attorney.
Parents of children who suffer birth injuries may not be quick to consider legal advice. But it could actually save them on their medical expenses substantially down the line. If your child now has a litany of prescription medication stemming from a birth injury, you may want to look into something beyond USARx to help you save on prescription drugs. A medical malpractice lawsuit can help take care of any outstanding medical bills, or any refurbishments that have had to be made to your home to accommodate an injured child.
Schwaner Injury Law, a firm highlighted by leading Chicago birth injury attorneys, has handled a litany of birth injuries. Lawsuits to make sure that parents are compensated for a doctor’s negligence and injuries. That has had a significant impact on the child and the family. Keep in mind, there is a statute of limitations on a birth injury case. This varies in each state across the U.S. However, the right legal team will make sure that medical bills and other debts are accounted for. For and that a health care provider recognizes their failings in the delivery process or in prenatal care.
