Traumatic Birth Delivery
During some deliveries, children may sustain minor trauma resulting in some level of swelling and bruising after birth. Sometimes, though, certain more severe complications can manifest during labor and delivery that amount to more than just minor scrapes and bruises. Known as traumatic birth injuries, these typically occur during the delivery process and are often devastating to parents who expected things to go as planned during the delivery process.
One of the primary reasons why innocent children sustain traumatic birth injuries is due to medical negligence. Please call Stern Law, PLLC at (800) 462-5772 today for a free review of your case.
What can lead to a traumatic birth delivery?
According to national statistics, one in every five to seven births out of 1,000 involve trauma or injury. There are several causes of traumatic birth deliveries, such as:
- Macrosomia – literally meaning “of large body”, which is a term used to describe a newborn that is overly large, or with a birth weight exceeding 8 pounds, 13 ounces
- Pre-term labor – typically a birth before 37 weeks
- Cephalopelvic disproportion – which is a condition where an unborn child’s head is too large to enter or pass through the birth canal
- The use of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery
- Abnormal delivery positions, such as breech or face first
- Abnormal or excessive traction (pulling) or twisting during birth
- Umbilical cord complications
- Prolonged or overly rapid labor (i.e. whether naturally or due to labor inducing drugs)
What are the complications associated with traumatic birth injuries?
Fetal risks of traumatic delivery include:
- Caput Succedaneum
- Subgaleal hematoma
- Cephalhematoma
- Sternocleidomastoid hematoma
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Subaponeurotic hemorrhage
- Cerebral palsy
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
- Periventricular leukomalacia
- Developmental delay
- Brachial plexus injuries, including Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy
- Seizure disorders
- Paralysis
- Mental retardation
- Intra-abdominal injury – Injuries of this type can affect the liver, spleen, gastrointestinal system and surrounding organs should too much physical pressure be applied at birth. Such traumatic birth injuries can be life threatening if not immediately treated.
In addition to the fetal risks associated with traumatic birth injuries, it is also worth noting that they can also cause medical complications for you, the mother, as well, including:
- Extensive vaginal tearing
- Bruising or lacerations to the vagina
- Post-partum problems with urinating or passing a bowel movement
- Persistent post-partum pain
- Excessive bleeding during and after delivery
[videosingle id=”28882″ width=”95%” height=”400″ /]
How Do You Pursue A Birth Injury Case? from The CP Lawyer | Stern Law, PLLC on Vimeo.
If your child entered the world during a traumatic delivery, he or she could have sustained injuries that could affect the rest of his or her life. If you suspect the traumatic injury occurred as a result of medical negligence, it’s important to know your legal rights.
For more information about your options, please call Stern Law, PLLC at (800) 462-5772 for qualified guidance in your birth injury case.
