Birth injuries can be caused by many factors. Some are unavoidable, while others are a direct result of a medical provider’s mistakes.
Some of the most common birth injuries include facial paralysis, fractures, brachial palsy and bruising. In the majority of cases, these injuries have the potential to heal. However, some infants suffer such severe cases that there is no potential for a full recovery.
What causes brachial palsy?
Brachial palsy is the result of nerves in the brachial plexus becoming damaged due to force during delivery. It can happen if a baby is stuck in the birth canal or if their shoulder is trapped in some manner.
When this injury occurs, it can mean that the child’s arm muscles will no longer work correctly. Children with this condition will need rehabilitation. Some may require surgery to repair the nerves that were damaged. Fortunately, many children recover on their own.
Usually, this condition only happens when the neck, head and shoulder are overstretched. This is common in difficult births, especially when the child’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvis.
Most medical providers can tell if there is a risk of a complicated or complex delivery, so that you can make a choice about how you want to deliver your child. Other options may be available to help reduce the risk of injury. If undue force was used to deliver your child, you may be in a position to file a medical malpractice lawsuit so that you can recover some of the expenses related to your child’s care and ongoing medical needs.
