The birth of your child should be one of the most joyous memories of your life, but this does not always happen. Sometimes, something goes wrong, and in many cases, it is due to actions or inaction of hospital staff during delivery.
If your baby recently sustained injuries during birth, your doctor or nurse may be responsible. Medical malpractice during delivery is not uncommon. Read on to learn more about five serious birth injuries.
1. Fractures
During labor, fracturing is of the most common types of injuries. In particular, the clavicle and collarbone are especially vulnerable. These injuries can occur if the doctor or nurse pulls on the baby too much during birth.
2. Facial paralysis
If a doctor put significant pressure on your baby’s face, he or she may have injured a facial nerve. This prevents the eye from closing as well as movement facial muscles. Sometimes, it requires surgery.
3. Brachial palsy or brachial plexus
Another potentially serious injury that can happen due to excessive pulling or tugging during delivery is brachial palsy. With this condition, there is often trouble delivering the baby’s shoulder, and a nerve in the shoulder is stretched or injured. Some cases are temporary, but others lead to permanent nerve damage.
4. Birth asphyxia
Lack of attention can also cause long-term problems. Inattention by the nurses to the fetal monitor, or if a doctor does not respond quickly enough when an infant is struggling, he or she can miss potentially brain-damaging and fatal problems that can prevent a baby’s organs from receiving enough oxygen.
5. Cerebral palsy
Medical malpractice can also lead to cerebral palsy. As a result of an injury in which the brain does not receive enough oxygen, this condition can lead to delayed speech development, spastic muscles and difficulty walking.
Some birth injuries caused by medical malpractice are minor, but others can lead to life-long problems. A medical malpractice attorney can help you investigate the claim and help to protect your child’s future care needs.