What Are Some of the More Common Birth Injuries?
When you’re expecting a baby, the last thing you’re thinking about is the possibility of a complication. Most deliveries go smoothly, but birth injuries can sometimes occur during labor or delivery. Some are minor and heal quickly. Others can be serious and may have lasting effects. And in some cases, an injury may be linked to medical negligence.
Certain situations can make birth injuries more likely. Larger babies – those weighing more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces – may have a higher risk of complications during delivery. Premature babies, babies in a breech position or difficult/prolonged labors can also increase the risk. The mother’s pelvic size and shape can sometimes make a vaginal delivery more difficult, while maternal obesity can be another risk factor.
Here are some of the more common birth injuries parents may encounter, as presented in an article by Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
Brachial Palsy
Brachial palsy involves an injury to the nerves that control a baby’s arm and hand. It can happen when there is difficulty delivering the baby’s shoulder, known as shoulder dystocia. A baby with brachial palsy may have trouble moving one arm. When the nerves are bruised or swollen, movement often returns as they heal. More serious nerve injuries can cause permanent problems and may require additional treatment.
Bruising and Forceps Marks
A little bruising after birth is common. Babies can develop bruises on the face or head as they move through the birth canal. Forceps can also leave temporary marks, while vacuum-assisted deliveries may cause scalp bruising or a small cut. Most of these marks fade as a baby heals.
Caput Succedaneum
This long medical name describes swelling of a baby’s scalp that can happen during passage through the birth canal. It can also occur when instruments are used to help with delivery. The swelling usually disappears within a few days and typically causes no lasting problems. It is more common after vacuum-assisted delivery.
Cephalohematoma
A cephalohematoma is a collection of blood between the baby’s skull and the tissue covering it. It may show up several hours after birth as a raised bump on the baby’s head. The body gradually absorbs the blood, but the bump can take several weeks or even a few months to completely disappear. Larger cephalohematomas can sometimes contribute to jaundice.
Facial Paralysis
Pressure during labor or delivery can sometimes injure the facial nerve, particularly during a difficult delivery or when forceps are used. Parents may notice that one side of the baby’s face does not move normally when the baby cries, or that the baby cannot fully close one eye. If the nerve is bruised, the problem often improves within weeks. A more serious injury may require surgery.
Fractures
A broken collarbone is the most common fracture associated with childbirth. It can happen during a difficult delivery, particularly when there is trouble delivering the baby’s shoulder or during a breech birth. A baby with a broken collarbone may not move one arm as much as the other. Fortunately, these fractures usually heal quickly.
A Red Spot in the Eye
A subconjunctival hemorrhage may sound serious, but it usually isn’t. It happens when tiny blood vessels break in the white part of a baby’s eye, creating a bright red spot or patch. It is common after birth, does not usually damage the eye and typically disappears within a week or two.
When Should Parents Be Concerned?
A birth injury does not necessarily mean someone made a mistake. Labor and delivery can be unpredictable, and some complications cannot be prevented. But healthcare providers are expected to recognize potential problems and respond appropriately. In some situations, a birth injury may be connected to medical negligence. For example, if signs of fetal distress are missed, a necessary C-section is delayed, or a known delivery complication is not handled properly.
In the last few years, almost every teaching hospital in the city of Philadelphia has paid 8-figure verdicts and settlements to clients of Tom Duffy. If you are looking to better understand your legal rights and speak with a top Philadelphia birth injury attorney in Philadelphia, please contact us.