When your child is born, one of the first things you’ll do is hold them and get to see them for the first time. During that moment, the last thing you want to think about doing is searching for injuries, but the truth is that you should.
Birth injuries related to getting stuck in the birth canal, nerve damage from pressure on the neck or shoulders or other issues can happen, and your newborn could be showing immediate signs of such an injury.
As a parent, you should look for any obvious indications of trouble with your newborn so you can point out your concerns to a nurse or the doctor right away.
What are some physical signs of birth injuries?
The signs of a birth injury can vary, but the most important signals parents should check for in a newborn include:
- Trouble suckling, swallowing or eating
- Seizures
- Fractures of the skull
- High-pitched crying (persistent crying)
- Arched back while crying
All of these symptoms could signify that your child is in pain or struggling with neurological problems.
Other signs of trauma could include a drooping face, trouble moving one or both arms, swelling and bruising or other unusual markings on the body.
What should you do if you think your child has a birth injury?
If you believe that your child was injured during the birthing process, focus on getting your child the medical care they need right away. Once the immediate danger is past, however, it may be time to speak with an attorney about your options. If a doctor’s mistake led to your child’s birth injury, you have every right to ask for the compensation you need to make sure your child has proper care.