When a woman goes into labor, it is imperative that her health be monitored at all times. The same holds true of the baby, both before and after birth.
In most cases, the delivery goes off without a problem. There are times, however, when a birth injury occurs.
Birth injuries are extremely serious. Not only can this lead to trouble for your baby following delivery, but this type of injury can have an impact on his or her life in the future.
The medical consequences of birth injuries include but are not limited to:
— Cognitive impairment
— Emotional impairment
— Decrease in stamina and strength
— Lack of nerve sensation
— Inability for bones or muscles to properly develop
— Psychological problems
— Osteoarthritis
With so many serious consequences, no parents ever want to think about the possibility of a birth injury. Even so, there are times when this happens. At that point, the parents have to get the best treatment for the child, giving him or her a chance of a full recovery.
A birth injury can be caused by medical negligence, such as a doctor or nurse that overlooks an important part of the delivery process.
A birth injury is not the same as a birth defect. An injury is often caused by the negligence of a medical professional, while a defect is a health condition. The long term consequences of birth injuries are serious. If a child suffers an injury at birth, the parents may want to speak with a medical malpractice attorney to see if they have any legal rights.
Source: Merck Manuals, “Birth Injury” accessed Feb. 10, 2015
