Birth Injuries or Trauma

The birth of a child is a special event as family members joyously welcome a new son or daughter into this world. The mother is relieved as she is able to move the child that has been in her womb into this world to begin a wonderful life. Of course, during the mother’s pregnancy doctors work to ensure the baby’s development is safe and healthy. Likewise, parents hope their children are born healthy as they want their children to grow up fully capable of finding enjoyment in the world.

Common Reasons for Birth Related Injuries or Trauma

Unfortunately, there are situations when the special event of a birth of a child is negatively affected by the delivery process. Some of the common reasons for a baby to incur injury or trauma during delivery include:

• Size and shape of the mother’s pelvis is inadequate to allow the baby to negotiate the birth canal and be born vaginally (Cephalopelvic disproportion)
• Deficiency of amniotic fluid (Oligohydramnios)
• Abnormal birthing presentation (breech)
• Use by the doctor of midcavity foreceps or a vacuum extraction technique
• Unusually large babies (big baby syndrome or fetal macrosomia)
• Dystocia – difficult labor or childbirth
• Large fetal head
• Low birth weight or prematurity
• Fetal anomalies
• Prolonged or rapid labor
• Mother’s first time pregnancy

Fortunately, technology and new techniques (for example, fetal monitoring and ultrasonography) have assisted doctors in assessment and monitoring of the mother and baby’s status leading up to birth. Similarly, the birth process has been greatly assisted by such advances leading to a significant drop of 88% in infant mortality due to birth trauma from 1970 to 1985 when rates fell from 64.2 to 7.5 deaths per 100,000 live births. The use of potentially injurious birthing techniques such as midcavity forceps and vacuum extraction have declined (today cesarean delivery is an accepted alternative).

Common Birth Injuries or Trauma

Even with the drop in birth related injuries or trauma by advancements in medical technology and techniques, the special event of the birth of a child may be spoiled by adverse events in the delivery room. Parents may find their child injured at birth by trauma sustained leading to hemorrhage, edema, tissue damage, or a fracture. Despite the improvements over the years, and that fewer than 2% of neonatal deaths and still births are the result of birth traumas, near one-half are reported to be avoidable with greater anticipation and recognition of risk factors. Additionally, unnecessary trauma or injury to a child as a result of birthing process can be significant. Here are some of the common traumas or injuries sustained by children as a result of birth:

• Brachial Plexus
• Subgaleal Hematoma (Hemorrhage)
• Facial Paralysis
• Intracranial Hemorrhage
• Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
• Caput Succedaneum
• Cephalhematoma
• Bruising and Forceps Marks
• Fractures

Any avoidable trauma part of the birthing process that provides significant pain or long-term (or permanent) injury to an infant is significant. Besides causing unnecessary suffering to the child, such avoidable events can force deterioration in the quality that child’s life. In these circumstances, parents may desire to seek advice from attorneys or lawyers at a personal injury law firm concerning available legal options.

Experienced Medical Malpractice Law Firm

The attorneys and lawyers at Seeger Weiss LLP are experienced in seeking compensation for victims of medical malpractice including those affected by injuries or trauma at birth. Seeger Weiss’s attorneys and lawyers provide a free initial case evaluation concerning available legal options related to the circumstances of your child’s injuries or trauma sustained at birth. If your child has experienced trauma or injury at birth, and you have questions concerning your legal options, please contact the lawyers and attorneys at Seeger Weiss LLP. You can also call (888) 584-0411.