What Are Some Types of Traumatic Birth Injuries

Birth injuries, statistically, are rare. They are said to occur in a frequency of between 6-8 injuries per thousand live births. The problem is, when they do occur, they are traumatizing. Worse still, is the fact that they can often be prevented. The people responsible are often doctors, nurses and other health care professionals involved in the medical procedures related to birth.

Types of Birth Injuries:

Difficult births have a much higher rate of causing birth injury. Mistakes are more likely to be made when a birth has been traumatic or difficult. Large babies and premature babies are typically more susceptible to these injuries. Sometimes, a breech birth is a complicating factor because of the extra instruments that are needed to carry out the delivery process. Misuse of any of these birthing tools may easily harm a baby who is vulnerable.

Some types of common birth injuries are:

Brain damage

Spinal Cord Injuries

Cerebral Palsy

Shoulder Dystocia

Erb's Palsy

It is the responsibility of the medical staff to ensure that a baby has sufficient blood flow and oxygen to the brain during these times of distress. It it doesn't happen, very long-term and fatal injuries may occur. Preventing further injuries might also require a c section. If this decision is delayed, it can cause further complications and injuries.

Sometimes vacuum extractors or forceps are required during birth, and misusing these instruments can cause further injury. If this occurs, the doctor may be guilty of medical malpractice.

The following are all errors for which doctors and other medical staff may be responsible for:

-Difficult or prolonged labor
-Not detecting an umbilical cord wrapped around a babies' neck
-unreasonable delay in performing an emergency c section
-misdiagnosing pre-delivery conditions

If your child has suffered a traumatic birth injury at the hands of a medical practitioner, you should contact a birth injury lawyer to find out what your rights may be.