Common Birth Injuries

A birth injury is commonly defined as any trauma that occurs to a baby just by being born. This is generally the result of some kind of pressure placed on the child as it passes through the birth canal. Prolonged labor, legs first (breech) delivery and the use of forceps during birth all can cause birth injuries.

Common Birth Injuries:

Many types of birth injuries, such as bruising, scrapes, forceps indentions and minor fractures are not serious and will typically heal in a short time. Sometimes birth injuries can cause the temporary loss of nerve or muscle function but this too is usually abated after a number of weeks. If the nerves tear, however, this damage could be quite permanent.

Paralysis of the facial muscles may be the result of pressure on the facial nerves during birth or the result of forceps damage. If the nerve is merely bruised, the condition will correct itself in a short time.

Brachial plexus injuries (Erb's Palsy) is a weakness of the arm that is typically caused by damage to the nerves around the shoulder during birth. This may be the result of excessive pulling on the arm or by pressure on the shoulders during a breech delivery. The majority of babies will recover after several months, however, some will require surgery and will be affected permanently.

Cerebral palsy is, of course, the subject of this blog and there is a plethora of resources here about the subject.

If your baby has been injured as a result of someone else's negligence, you might be entitled to compensation for the injuries and any medical expenses that have resulted. Make sure to contact a competent birth injury lawyer as soon as possible, as the statute of limitations for your state may limit the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit.