While medical advancements create a safer environment for mothers and infants during pregnancy, labor, and the birth process, negligence and recklessness on the part of healthcare workers can cause serious injuries to an infant and mother. Far too many families are affected by serious injuries, some having lasting effects on a child’s development and future.
Common Types of Birth Injuries in Coral Springs
Common injuries which can occur during birth include:
- Cerebral Palsy: This condition occurs when a baby does not get enough oxygen supply to the brain. Infants can experience life-long injury, including developmental delays, problems with movement, and difficulties with balance.
- Erb’s Palsy: This condition occurs when force during childbirth causes damage to the brachial plexus, which can affect the arms and shoulder of the infant. Children with this condition can experience paralysis or difficulty with movement or weakness in the affected arm.
- Head injuries: During birth, excess force can cause traumatic brain injury while negligence can lead to lack of oxygen supply to the brain. In some cases, inadequate natal care can also lead to head injuries to the fetus.
- Perinatal Asphyxia: Perinatal Asphyxia can occur during pregnancy, due to placenta infection and other complications, or can be a result of birth injury. The condition affects the oxygen exchange or blood flow of the infant before or after birth and can impact the brain and other major organs.
- Fractures: Fractures and injuries to soft tissue, bones, and skin can happen due to excess force during the birth process.
Preventing Birth Injuries
There are several things expectant parents can do to reduce the risk of injury:
- Work with a qualified doctor: As soon as conception happens, or ideally before, it is important for a pregnant mother to seek quality natal care from an obstetrician, a pediatrician, and family physician. If there are any signs of complications or in the event of a high-risk pregnancy, seeking a second opinion may also be useful.
- Speak up when you have concerns: Asking questions or asking for clarification is important. If you feel uncomfortable with your doctor or OB-GYN or feel unheard, seek another qualified professional.
- Follow doctor recommendations carefully: Get proper rest and nutrition to reduce the risk of preeclampsia and other complications, which can lead to premature birth and potentially a higher risk in the delivery room.
- Have an advocate in the delivery room, if you can: Having a family member or family friend in the delivery room can help through the process and gives you an additional voice during labor and birth.
Even if you take all precautions during pregnancy and childbirth, unexpected outcomes can happen. If your child suffers an injury or illness, it is not always easy to get answers from the hospital, so it can be difficult to tell whether an injury was caused by negligence. If recklessness played a role, you may have a claim that allows you to seek financial recovery for your losses and may help you to pay for any additional care your child requires.
If you have experienced an injury during birth or if your child was born with an injury and you would like to know whether you have a claim, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Coral Springs birth injury claims attorney.