What are the most common birth injuries?

It is tragic when the milestone of childbirth is marred by a birth trauma. Birth injury examples usually fall into one of two main categories: brain injury or direct trauma to an external body part. Read on for an exploration of each.

Brain injury

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:

•   Pinched umbilical cord
•   Umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck
•   Umbilical cord prolapse
•   Infection that isn’t treated
•   Ruptured vessel causing a brain bleed
•   Abruption of the placenta
•   Uterine rupture
•   Excessive bleeding from the placenta
•   Abnormal fetal position, such as the breech position
•   Prolonged late stages of labor
•   Unregulated blood pressure increases or decreases in the mother
•   Failure to perform timely cesarean section

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 to move. The nomenclature derives from cerebral (having to do with the brain) and palsy (weakness or problems with muscles). Brain damage can 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. This is why, if you believe that your child suffered a birth injury, you should promptly contact a birth injury lawyer in Philadelphia.

Direct trauma to an external body part

Some examples of birth trauma to external body parts include:

• Fractures of bones, including the skull
• Bone Dislocation

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, for example, twist the baby’s body in a way that causes injury or misuse the various delivery tools (forceps, vacuum extractor, 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 the child’s sensory or motor deficits.

Anyone whose child experienced birth trauma should contact the experienced Philadelphia birth injury attorneys at VSCP Law to discuss a potential claim for medical malpractice.