All you need to know about birth injuries: Causes, types & important resources!
Pregnancy and childbirth is the most delicate and sensitive phase of any woman’s life. After completing delicate 9 months (and three trimesters) of pregnancy, each family expect an uncomplicated childbirth process (labor) and a “healthy mom & healthy baby” to welcome in the family. But unfortunately, it is always not the case.
Sadly, few families suffer from tragic “Birth injuries” that causes much stress and create a state of sadness and frustration for new parents. The statistics of birth injuries are higher and alarming than you might think.
Every year, 28,000 birth injuries take place in the USA. As per statistics, for every 1000 infants, 6 to 8 infants suffer from birth injuries (that means 76 infants born with birth injuries per day. In other words, it is 3 infants /hour)
As per the National Healthcare quality report (AHRQ), male infants are more prone to suffer from birth injuries compare to female infants. Also, about 7 percent of birth injuries are diagnosed within the first year of a child’s life and about 14 percent remain undiagnosed until the child is of school- going age.
Despite being a common issue, birth injuries often remain a less discussed topic and many parents did not understand different important aspects of birth injuries.
Being a responsible physician and a parenting and lifestyle blogger, I am trying to help a bit from my side with this post.
What are birth injuries? What are common types and causes? Why parents need to keep themselves educated about birth injuries? And what are some important resources that can help parents to get deep insight into birth injuries? Read the post to know more!
What are birth injuries?
Image source: birthinjuryguide.org
As per Wikipedia,“Birth injury refers to damage or injury to the child before, during, or just after the birthing process.”
Birth injuries can range from mild to moderate and severe. Mild birth injuries heal within few days and did not require any specific treatment. While moderate birth injuries require some kind of medical assistance (and even surgery), depending upon the cause and severity. severe birth injuries are the most unfortunate one . it may cause long term impact and even results in permanent disability for infants.
There could be various causes of birth injuries. In some cases, it is caused by medical malpractice. When birth injuries happen as a result of medical negligence, an affected family may take legal action with the help of an erbs palsy claims solicitor and can be eligible for financial compensation for a child’s future treatment.
Causes of birth injuries
Birth injuries can be caused by various reasons. Here are three major categories that can be responsible for birth injuries.
- Fetal presentation or fetal causes: such as fetal macrosomia (infant is excessively large), and IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction of a fetus in the womb)
- Maternal factors: such as when a mother is overweight or failure to diagnose gestational diabetes condition, the size and shape of mother’s pelvis etc.
- Delivery mechanisms: such as prolonged or difficult labor due to any reason, and use of a device like vacuum or forceps used during labor.
Types of birth injuries
Here are 10 common types of birth injuries:
- Cerebral palsy
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Branchial plexus injury
- Hypoxic -ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- Cephalohematoma
- Caput succedaneum
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage
Why parents need to understand and keep themselves informed about birth injuries?
It is important for parents to understand and educate themselves about different kinds of birth injuries that may occur to an infant during the childbirth process. There are many risk factors (maternal and fetal) that can influence the type and severity of birth injuries. Understanding these risk factors can help in prevention and better management of the existing condition and also help in reducing chances of unwanted complications.
Additionally, when birth injuries are caused by medical malpractice, parents have a right to take legal action and can get monetary compensation for the treatment of the infant. It is always a good idea for parents to be informed enough to ask the questions that they need to go through this legal process and get justice for their child by getting needed legal help.
Important resource for parents get deep insight and well -researched information regarding “Birth injuries?”
For writing this article, I did a lot of research and explore various online resources that can provide needed information about different aspects of birth injuries. During this process, I came across an excellent website that offers authentic, well-searched and valuable information about birth injuries, it is named birthinjuryguide.org.
This website is a comprehensive resource for families who are coping with birth injuries. the website is clean and has an easy to navigate outlet. this website has well- organized categories that provide valuable information about different important aspects of birth injuries such as causes, types and treatment options for birth injuries, how the birth injuries can be diagnosed, what are programs and assistance options are available for injured newborn babies, etc.
Each section has plenty of informative, well-searched and medically reviewed articles that give a deep insight and can help a lot to parents by providing all needed details and information about birth injuries. This website is not only working as an educational resource but it also helps in getting financial support to those families who suffer from the devastating effect of birth injuries.
When birth injuries cause by medical negligence or by medical malpractice, affected families are eligible for getting monetary compensation for future treatment of an infant. But sometimes, this legal process may feel overwhelming to many parents and they may face various struggles to meet financial obligations of this legal process.
At birthinjuryguide.org, the experts are ready to help parents in understanding their legal rights and best options to get the compensations that the family deserve. Here, parents can request a free case review call at number 1-877-415-6603 or can contact them by filling an online contact form by sharing some basic details. Throughout the process, they need to pay nothing until they obtain a verdict or settlement for their case.
Conclusively, “Birthinjuryguide.org is a valuable and trustworthy resource to understand different aspects of birth injuries and also helpful in getting legal help for families who suffer from birth injuries. this resource can help a lot to parents and loved ones of a child with a birth injury at various levels and can ease their frustration and anxiety caused by the existing condition.”
Did you had heard about any type of birth injury before? Please share your experience with me!
Read also:
29 Comments
Alpana Deo
Pregnancy and child birth is a crucial phase. We cannot ignore any one of these two. During pregnancy, it is very important to keep a track of baby’s growth and any possibility of the injuries that you have mentioned this post. The emotional value becomes high whenever we talk about pregnancy and child related issues. Having a trustworthy and strong support system is very important. Birthinjuryguide seems to be that support system.
Ambica Gulati
This is such a useful post. It’s good to be aware of these issues at birth and then you know exactly what steps to take.
Aakriti
Pregnancy and child birth is the most special phase for parents but when the new born suffer from injuries….it really sad. @birthinjury.org is doing a great job.
Anjali
Even if you are healthy and well prepared for childbirth, there is always a chance of some unexpected difficulties. During pregnancy it’s important to keep track of the baby’s development, reading articles regarding pregnancy or joining groups as you said birthinjuryguide.org is very important. This article is worth sharing with new parents.
The Champa Tree
It is a scary scenario to have a healthy baby and end up affecting them permanently. Sometimes the birth injuries are caused by carelessness and sometime due to other factors.
Preeti Chauhan
While this may be a frightening prospect for future parents to be ,sharing this information it is a good initiative too. Being informed is half the battle won and so many birth injuries can have serious and life long implications on the child and the parent.
Ujjwalj Mishra
Knowing such issues is like half battel won. Otherwise sometimes its tough to take control and cal in such cases. Very informative post.
MeenalSonal
I was not aware of so many birth injuries, knew only about broken bones during delivery. Your post provides complete resource to all the parents and the website mentioned also looks trustworthy.
Diya
Oh I didn’t know about about birth-injuries: Causes, types & important resources. Baby is important and safety healthy . This is very nice information and thanks for sharing?
energeticreads
Awareness is a first step towards solving a problem. I am glad that you’re helping in creating awareness. This will help many. Thank you sharing this. I have heard few of them but got to many others too. Thank you for this informative post.
Moumita Jana
This is something serious and very less people talk about it with terms..you explained this phase very nicely..with pregnancy,birth injury is also very crucial and need to discuss with doctor.. lovely writing..
Imagemakeover
Your posts are always an eyeopener for me. Didn’t know about so many injuries a child can have. The pic itself is so disturbing, can’t imagine a child can face all this but it’s important that we know.
Jhilmil
This is a very informative posts for all parents-to-be. I was aware about a few only and that too coz a dear friend had the disturbing episode which led to CP in her baby. Every parent must be aware about birth injuries.
Sandy N Vyjay
Birth injuries can turn out really troublesome and difficult in later years leading to many complications. It is neccessary for parents to be aware of these and repercussions if any. A very detailed and informative post.
Cindy Dsilva
It’s good to know about various injuries during delivery. Some of us just think the delivery would be hard on us but we rarely think about the baby’s situation.
Roma
This is highly informative buddy and some brilliant piece of information many of which is not known to common man. As a doctor I so glad you are doing a fab job in creating awareness
Urvi Kunal Savla
Its so sad to see when such a thing happens. But it’s also important to talk about these injuries and how to prevent them. Well written??
Tina Basu
pregnancy and birthing are both so crucial phases and we are completely in the hands of doctors. This is a very informative and insightful post you have written on birth injuries.
Rahul Prabhakar
This post is a must read for new parents. I’m also going to share the link of birthinjuryguide.org with my friends who are expecting and looking for authentic, well-searched and valuable information about birth injuries.
Rakhi Jayashankar
I have seen a real life example of birth injury. My brother ended up having Cerebral Palsy though minor. Hence I was so stressed when I had back to back preterm deliveries
Jeannine
Birth injuries are always a sad thing for every parent. Luckily nowadays with technology, birth injuries such as fetal presentation and maternal factors can be detected even before a baby is born. This gives parents more time to learn more of the effects of these injuries and how they can better prepare for them to be able to still give the best life for their new blessing. As for delivery mechanisms, they are for sure made to help deliver babies when the need occurs and could only cause harm if not used correctly. My advice is to have a good Obstetrician so both mom and baby is well taken care of.
rakshanagaraj
Wow I had no idea of birth injuries. That definitely sounds so scary and worrying. The post is definitely insightful in knowing and learning about the types of birth injuries and how it can be prevented.
jhilmildsaha
This is something very important to know. I was absolutely not aware of these birth injuries. We, as parents have to be very careful and cautious about these.
Richa
This is such a useful Post. Never knew about these things. Love the way you presented everything in a detailed manner.
Khushboo
This post is really very informative and helpful. It’s good to be aware of birth injuries. Parents have to be careful and cautious about it.
rakhiparsai11984
Child birth and a safe one is nothing less than a magic. It takes the whole universe to pray for a healthy delivery. I wasnt aware of so many birth injuries a child can suffer while the birthing process. This post is an eye opener.
The Champa Tree
Birth injury is a scary scenario. One second we have a healthy baby and next we know that something bad has happened. Life is so unpredictable. Sad part is that most mothers are unaware of this.
Snigdha
This is something very new to me . I didn’t know about any birth injury till now . Very informative and helpful post dear.
Ruchie
I am so great and happy to read this post as it is so required to share all these details. I have seen the birth injury in close family and that time was not aware of but your post is really going to help many other parents.