It is tragic when the milestone of childbirth is marred by tragedy. That is the case for some parents and children when a birth trauma occurs. There are many types of birth injuries that occur before or during childbirth. Birth trauma examples usually fall into one of two main categories: brain injury or direct trauma to an external body part. We’ll examine each in turn.
The brain, as with all organs, needs oxygen to thrive. When a baby’s brain is denied adequate levels of oxygen (sometimes referred to as “hypoxia” or “hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)”), brain damage can occur. This type of birth trauma can occur in a variety of ways, including:
The above examples of brain damage can result in cerebral palsy, which impedes a person’s ability to perform cognitively, control bodily functions, control voluntary movements, maintain balance, and move. The nomenclature derives from cerebral (having to do with the brain) and palsy (weakness or problems with muscles). Brain damage can also result in delayed or stunted physical growth. It can also impede emotional growth and cause mental disabilities.
The length of time the brain was without oxygen usually determines the severity of the damage so, as with many examples of medical trauma, time is of the essence.
Some examples of birth trauma to external body parts include:
The above injuries can often occur when doctors use excessive force in extracting the baby from the uterus or from the vaginal canal. They could, e.g., twist the baby’s body in a way that causes injury or misuse the various delivery tools (forceps, vacuum extractors, scissors, clamps, specula, etc.).
Not falling in either of the above two main birth trauma categories is nerve damage. Nerves in various parts of the body can be damaged during childbirth (often from excessive pressure) and that can result in sensory or motor deficits.
Anyone whose child experienced birth trauma should feel free to contact the birth injury attorneys at VSCP Law to discuss a potential claim for medical malpractice.