June 30, 2021
Birth Injury Lawyer
Having a new baby is a time of anticipation. However, this joyful event may turn sullen if something happens that causes the baby harm.
As a birth injury lawyer in Kansas City, MO from a firm like Royce Injury Attorneys LLC can explain, the most common reasons for birth injuries revolve around intervention measures. A baby who is large or not turned properly may need earlier intervention in the delivery process. Unfortunately, this does not always happen, and the result may be an injury. Read on to learn about three common injuries a baby gets during delivery.
1. Collarbone Fracture
While a vaginal birth is a woman’s most preferred delivery method, various factors may make it more likely to injure the baby. If contractions are not forceful enough, the baby may progress down the birth canal. In instances where a baby needs help, a doctor usually steps in and assists. This may include the use of tools, such as forceps or even manual manipulation with the hands. The shoulders are the largest part of a baby, and sometimes squeezing the baby in one way or another may end in a fracture to the collarbone. Babies with this injury need time for the bone to heal.
2. Lack of Oxygen
One of the most serious indicators after birth is evidence that the baby was without oxygen. The symptoms of hypoxia include:
- Weak or no crying
- Blueish skin tone
- Poor reflexes
- Little to no muscle development
Oxygen deprivation may be due to several factors, but the most common is that the oxygen supply was cut off during labor and delivery. If a mother’s cervix doesn’t dilate quick enough and the baby is without amniotic fluid for too long, it can cause distress, and oxygen will not get where it needs to. The umbilical cord being kinked is also a frequent cause of oxygen deprivation. Too much time without oxygen may result in permanent brain damage.
3. Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a serious condition that affects a small percentage of newborns a year. While the exact cause of the condition is not known, it is tied heavily with birth events. Fetal or maternal distress is a common denomination in children with cerebral palsy, as is an overall difficult birth. Cerebral palsy affects the baby’s muscles and nerves, making for frequent spasms and underdevelopment. While some surgery may help ease the symptoms, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. It requires a lifetime of medical care.
If someone suspects their baby has suffered an injury at birth, a birth injury lawyer may know how to help. Since some of these conditions need long-term care, getting the financial security to administer it is something new parents want to pursue.