Several injuries can occur at birth for mom and bub. Some of these are minor and don’t require any serious medical attention. On the other hand, certain injuries may be life-threatening or impact either mum or baby’s life in the long-run. Let’s take a look at five injuries which can occur at birth and the causes of these.
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Oxygen Deprivation
Oxygen deprivation in the developing brain is cause for impairment in the later stages of a baby’s development. Babies deprived of oxygen at birth may experience several symptoms like seizures, hypotension (low blood pressure), and lack of responsiveness to stimuli. Babies born with a birth defect such as congenital heart disease and incomplete tracheotomy may also suffer from lack of oxygen.
Cerebral palsy is also a condition that may be the result of oxygen deprivation. It’s a brain condition of the central nervous system that causes various disorders in the body. The main problem caused by lack of oxygen to the brain is that the brain’s blood supply is affected.
The brain is dependent on oxygen for its proper functioning; if it gets deprived of oxygen for a long period, it leads to various problems in the body. If your child suffers from cerebral palsy as a result of oxygen deprivation, you can consult canadian cerebral palsy attorneys. Together, you can begin a process of establishing if the cause occurred at birth and possibly receive compensation.
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Vaginal Tearing
Vaginal tears are common, particularly for first-time moms. The tearing usually happens either at the point where the baby is pushed out or a few days after birth. One of the methods to care for vaginal tears is to frequently apply saltwater. The saltwater is believed to clean the area and help prevent any possible infections. Applying glycerine is also recommended to increase the amount of lubrication in the vagina, which may decrease your chances of continuous tearing.
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Narrow Birth Canal Injuries
A baby can get stuck inside the birth canal. Usually, a doctor will manually pull the child out during the birth process. However, in some cases, a birth canal will be so narrow that a surgeon has to make an incision into the abdomen to make a passage for the baby. A woman’s weight and length of pregnancy as well as her health may all be contributing factors to birth canal injuries.
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Tangled Cord Injuries
During the process of giving birth, a baby may make movements that cause the umbilical cord to wrap around his or her neck. This may have occurred while in the womb and wasn’t detected. However, doctors usually pick up on this. When the baby is pushed and the cord is wrapped around the neck, doctors use their discretion and expertise to decide how to safely deliver the baby. The baby may face some discomfort and may experience less supply of oxygen. Most cases result in a successful birth.
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Medical Negligence
Medical negligence can also be a reason for an injury to occur at birth. For example, if a doctor failed to diagnose a baby with certain disabilities, it may cause serious injury to the child. It’s important to note that even if a doctor makes a mistake, this doesn’t mean that the person is intentionally trying to cause harm to a patient. It’s just that he didn’t know what to do in a particular situation. Such situations can, however, result in lawsuits or a fair settlement.
Conclusion
Birth injuries are common. However, not all result in severe damage or death. In case it does, you can consult legal experts on the best possible outcome regarding the case. Some of the injuries that may occur include oxygen deprivation, vaginal tearing, narrow birth canal injuries, cord injuries, and medical negligence.
