Most of the time, labor and delivery are straightforward and the baby is born healthy and happy. When complications arise, however, they can have a serious impact on the baby’s health.
It’s exciting to welcome your new little one into the world, but delivery can be a complicated process. Even under the best conditions, contractions are painful and the birth canal is a tight fit. If conditions aren’t ideal, you and your baby may be at risk.
Birth injuries happen to your child during the labor and delivery process. There are many possible birth injuries with a wide range of possible long-term effects on your baby. To make matters more complicated, the causes of some conditions may be difficult to pin down – maybe it was something during the pregnancy, maybe it’s a genetic mutation, maybe it was an injury incurred during delivery.
Some birth injuries are mild. For example, most brachial plexus injuries heal up within a couple of months. Broken bones typically also heal quickly and without lasting effects. Others are more serious – severe cerebral palsy is a debilitating and lifelong condition. Erb’s palsy isn’t as debilitating, but may last a lifetime. Brain and nerve damage are also irreparable and can seriously impact your baby’s life.
Most deliveries are straightforward and most babies don’t suffer any birth injuries. However, birth injuries can and do happen. Check out the links below to learn what you need to know about some of the most common types of birth injury.
cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a disorder caused by damage to or abnormal development of the parts of the brain responsible for muscle control and balance.
Brachial plexus injuries, including Erb’s Palsy, are some of the most common birth injuries. They involve damage to the nerves that control the baby’s arm.
Brachial plexus injuries, including Erb’s Palsy, are some of the most common birth injuries. They involve damage to the nerves that control the baby’s arm.
Babies’ brains are still developing and are vulnerable to a wide variety of injuries. Infant brain damage can come in many forms and cause many different symptoms.
Babies’ bones have a higher cartilage content than adult bones, making them more flexible. This also makes them more prone to fractures during a rough delivery.
