What Causes Birth Injuries?

In definition, a birth injury is the type of harm that occurs when the baby is to be delivered or during the actual process. The cause of such injuries can differ from deprivation of oxygen to trauma to medical negligence. And it goes without saying that these injuries will have an impact on the life of your baby moving forward. For more informative content on similar cases, visit the website at https://www.jaeleelaw.com/.

And now in this article, we are discussing some of the common causes of birth injuries.

Delay in ordering a C-section

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI – JANUARY 21: Doctors Susan Farrar (L) and Shannon Lamb (R) deliver a baby girl named Esther by C-section on board the USNS Comfort, a U.S. Naval hospital ship, on January 21, 2010 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Esther is the first baby ever born on the ship; her mother suffered a crushed pelvis during Haiti’s recent earthquake. The Comfort deployed from Baltimore with 550 medical personnel on board to treat earthquake victims and arrived in Haiti on January 20. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

Most doctors will advise that you have a natural birth, i.e., vaginal delivery. This is due to the benefits that it has for both the mother and the baby. But during the delivery, things might go wrong. The position of the umbilical cord, the baby’s overall position, the size, and other factors may hinder a natural birth and a C-section might be necessary. Delay in ordering one may cause birth injury.

Trauma to the baby

This cause of birth injury is due to excessive force used on the baby during the delivery process. There are certain cases where excessive force might be used on the baby. Usually, such cases include:

  • When the baby is too large
  • When the baby is in an abnormal position. Normally referred to as face presentation or breech
  • Neurological facility
  • When the medics use instruments such as vacuum extractors or forceps
  • The use of labor-inducing drugs such as Cytotec

Infection

During or at the time of delivery, the highest sanitary standards must be adhered to. There is always a possibility of a baby getting infected during the process. An effect of infection in the future could be injuries, disabilities, or brain damage.

Negligence

Before and around the birth of a baby, it is common for medics and other professionals to monitor the baby and the mother. And in case of any complications, they will be relied upon to act quickly in a manner that would result in the best outcomes for both the mother and the baby. Their actions will be guided by professional medical standards. Failure to follow these professional standards is tantamount to negligence.

To give you an example, here are some cases of negligence:

  • Poor planning of delivery of the baby
  • Failure to identify, diagnose and offer solutions before delivery
  • Wrong use of drugs such as Cytotec or Pitocin
  • Slow response to fetal distress or fetal heart tracings
  • Improper and incorrect application of instruments during the procedure

A birth injury consultation

Sometimes the best option is to turn to specialists who can assist you with your birth injury claim. They possess the experience and qualifications needed. If there was any form of negligence that led to an injury to your child, attorneys are able to obtain the evidence and fight for the compensation that you need.