Certain birth injuries should never happen. The trauma inflicted on a mother and her child through negligence can cause a variety of complications for the newborn. Some of the most common forms of birth injuries caused by negligence include:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Hypoxia
- Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
- Skull Crush Injury
- Brachial Plexus Injury
- Shoulder Dystocia
- Kernicterus
- Wrongful Death
- Maternal Death
Brachial Palsy
The bundle of nerves that run from your newborn’s spinal cord through the shoulder and down the arm can become damaged through an incorrect delivery. Damage to this group of nerves typically happens when the delivery team has trouble delivering the newborn’s shoulder through the birth canal and vagina.
This nerve damage can lead to a loss of feeling and use of the affected arm, and this issue can be permanent if the nerves are damaged beyond repair.
Cephalohematoma
Too much force or the use of too much suction on the newborn’s head during delivery can lead to bleeding within the layers of the skull, causing a raised bump of blood that will flatten as the blood is reabsorbed.
This issue can create what appears to be a small crater or indentation in the head that should, over time, disappear. Severe cases of cephalohematoma can persist and will require further medical intervention.
Asphyxia and Brain Damage
Asphyxia occurs when the newborn’s air supply is interrupted, depriving the brain and organs of necessary oxygen. This interruption of oxygen can occur either during the birthing process or immediately after delivery.
If the umbilical cord becomes wrapped around the child’s neck, if the child is not properly positioned for delivery, or if delivery is labored and too prolonged, the risk of asphyxia increases.
Very short interruptions in the air supply usually do not cause concern. However, a deprivation of oxygen can quickly become a serious medical event that threatens the baby’s life. Prolonged deprivations of oxygen can lead to permanent brain damage for the child.
