While injuries occurring after an accident can be dealt with quickly, coping with birth injuries can be devastating and challenging. No parent will like to know that their baby has been injured during birth. During the birth process, a baby might suffer a physical injury resulting in being born.
While birth injuries result from several factors, hiring a Philadelphia Birth Injury Attorney will be vital if you suspect the damage occurred due to the doctor’s fault or medical malpractice. Hiring a lawyer for birth injury can be helpful for the parents and allow them to take care of the baby while the lawyer can deal with legal problems.
Besides, below are some common birth injuries you must know as a parent. Being familiar with such issues can help you plan the baby’s treatment and recovery.
Common birth injuries you should be aware of
- Fractures
Fractures of the collarbone or clavicle are one of the most ordinary types of birth injury during labour and delivery. The clavicle can break when a problem delivering the baby’s shoulder or upper body during delivery occurs. While a baby with a fracture in the clavicle infrequently moves the arm on the injury’s side, you should know that healing and recovery can be quick and effective.
- Bruising or forceps marks
Bruising signs or forceps marks can occur on the baby’s face or head because of the trouble or trauma of passing through the birth canal and close contact with the mother’s pelvic tissues and bones. The baby might experience temporary marks on their head or face when forceps are used with delivery. You should also know that babies born by vacuum extraction might have scalp injuries or cuts.
- Subconjunctival haemorrhage
Such an injury can result from breaking small blood vessels in the baby’s eyes. One of the baby’s eyes can likely have a luminous red band in the white part of the eye. A subconjunctival haemorrhage is a common type of injury that does not cause significant eye damage as the redness is generally absorbed in a week to ten days.
- Facial paralysis
The baby’s facial nerve can be injured during labour or birth due to pressure. Facial paralysis can also occur when forceps are being used for delivery. Such an injury can result in no movement on the side of the facial paralysis, and the eye cannot be closed or blinked. Facial paralysis can improve when the nerve is only bruised in a few weeks. Surgery might be needed when the facial nerve is torn.
Besides these common injuries during the birth of a baby, you should not forget to hire a birth injury attorney in Philadelphia if you think the doctor is responsible due to their negligence in treatments and procedures.
