Pregnancy can be a rollercoaster, with all sorts of ups and downs. But no matter how nauseous and tired you get, it can all feel worth it when you feel your baby kick. Every sign of life can make the wait and the effort worth it. For expecting parents, each day can be geared towards preparing for their baby and dreaming of the life they’ll have ahead.
However, no one imagines their child suffering from major issues during pregnancy or birth. This time is as precarious as it is beautiful, and any hitches along the way can have a profound effect on your child’s health. Birth injuries, although rare, can occur due to several reasons.
As a parent, it is crucial to know about them and prepare for them in case anything goes wrong. Prompt attention can help you save your child’s life and mitigate the damage. If you’re interested in learning more about the different kinds of birth injuries, keep reading below.
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is easily one of the most common birth injuries that often carry life-long effects on the child. It is an umbrella term used to describe a range of disorders that can affect mobility, muscle tone, posture, and more. It is caused by direct damage to the brain during pregnancy or birth or in the first 2-3 years of a child’s life. One of the most common causes is when the child has a particularly distressing delivery and fails to receive prompt attention.
Fetal distress can be caused by too much amniotic fluid, a prolonged pregnancy, maternal diabetes. These factors can cause issues during labor and pregnancy and can significantly impact the baby’s health. Although fetal distress can be challenging to prevent entirely, medical practitioners can save the baby from suffering from oxygen deprivation.
However, in some cases, the doctors can fail to intervene at the right time, leading to cerebral palsy. These birth injuries are wholly preventable and are thus caused by negligence. Seeking professional help can help parents get the closure they need and help them get financially compensated. Heading to a Birth Injury Justice Center can help you get your child the care they deserve.
Bone injuries
Bone injuries during birth are much more common than you may think. It can occur even in the absence of fetal distress or pregnancy issues and can be challenging to prevent in some cases. Of all bone injuries, clavicle fractures are the most common. These fractures occur in most babies and aren’t noticeable until a few days later.
However, clavicle fractures don’t need treatment and don’t seem to bother most babies. Apart from clavicle fractures, babies can also experience broken or fractured bones in the arms or legs. These can be caused by the baby lying in the wrong position during pregnancy or excessive force applied during birth.
Depending on the extent of the injury, doctors can use casts or splints to help the bones heal. Some bone injuries can also be caused by genetic conditions where the infant’s bones are too brittle and fragile.
Newborn infections
Newborn infections are a common form of birth injury that can significantly impact the baby’s health. Newborn children are incredibly sensitive and vulnerable owing to their underdeveloped immune systems. Babies get antibodies from the mother through the placenta but are still vulnerable to pathogens.
However, at birth, they are directly exposed to diseases from the minute they exit the womb. Many babies can thus contract diseases from the mother during birth. In addition, several kinds of bacteria can be passed onto the baby and need immediate detection.
Moreover, newborn infections can also include neonatal issues. Infections of the placenta and umbilical cord, in particular, can have a significant impact on infant health. However, it is possible to detect these issues early and prevent them from affecting the child.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a common, dangerous condition that babies may encounter. It occurs when the baby’s body fails to produce enough glucose for the brain to function correctly and can result in permanent brain damage. Before birth, the baby receives glucose directly from the mother and builds up glycogen reserves.
However, the baby needs to use these glycogen reserves to power the brain upon birth. Some babies fail to build a proper glycogen reserve and can thus suffer from hypoglycemia. Babies born with growth restrictions, prematurely, or to diabetic mothers can be at an increased risk of hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia counts as a birth injury because it is possible to detect it before birth through scans. In addition, examining medical records can show whether the risk could have been identified and treated.
Conclusion
Facing the prospect of a birth injury can be daunting for any parent but is incredibly necessary. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, something can always go wrong, and it’s best to be prepared. Staying prepared in advance can help you give your baby the best treatment should anything go wrong and help them recover. This list can help you identify some of the most common birth injures and can help you decide how to move forward.