Some birth injuries are minor while others may cause conditions that affect the baby for the rest of his or her life. Familiarizing yourself with some of the most common birth injuries can help you take action to prevent harm in the delivery room.
These are three of the most common injuries parents witness in the delivery room:
1. Brachial palsy
According to the Mayo Clinic, infants can sustain brachial plexus injuries because of birth weight, presentation or prolonged labor. These injuries occur when the nerves that supply the arms and hands sustain an injury, often when delivering the baby’s shoulders. This can result in the inability to rotate and flex the arm.
2. Bruising or forceps marks
After birth, your baby may have bruising or marks on the face or head because of forceps used during delivery. Although they may look frightening, these marks are usually temporary and resolve within a few weeks.
3. Facial paralysis
Pressure on your baby’s face during birth can damage the facial nerve, and this often occurs when a doctor uses forceps. With an injured facial nerve, no movement will occur on the injured side of the face. In the event of a torn nerve, surgery may need to occur.
Some birth injuries can cause permanent damage while others resolve over time. If your baby sustains a birth injury, this may result in delayed development and other long-term issues. If you are worried your child has sustained severe injuries because of the birthing process, talking to a medical malpractice attorney can help you understand what options are available to help.