Each year, around 3.8 million babies are born in the United States.
With so many births, you’d expect obstetricians to be well-versed in bringing new life into the world. But unfortunately, there are still cases where there are birth injuries, which can cause trauma to both you and your baby.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common ones and what you should do to get the best recovery possible, plus any compensation if necessary.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy can occur before birth, but it can also affect your baby as a result of bad techniques used by your doctor.
If your baby was deprived of oxygen over a long period of time, was dropped, or your obstetrician used forceful methods to pull your baby out, he or she can develop cerebral palsy as well. This condition can lead to impaired muscle coordination and other disabilities.
Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy happens when the brachial plexus (a bundle of nerves under the collarbone) becomes injured. This can occur if the doctor pulls your baby’s head and arm in opposite directions. As a result, the affected arm will be unusually weak.
The brachial plexus can heal, which will lead to full use of the arm again. But if there’s still damage after 3 to 6 months, your baby may need surgery.
Collarbone Fractures
Babies’ collarbones can fracture during childbirth since they’re being pushed through a narrow entryway. While your child will experience pain because of the fracture, it’ll usually heal up in a few weeks.
Thighbone Fractures
Unlike collarbone fractures, this type is a lot rarer. Thighbone fractures happen when the baby’s leg is twisted in an unnatural manner. The pain will be evident whenever you move your child’s leg, such as to change their diaper.
If your baby has this birth injury, your doctor can put them in a Pavlik harness for the leg to heal correctly. It’ll take about a month for your child to recover.
Hire a Lawyer
If your baby’s suffered any birth injuries, we highly recommend you hire a lawyer. While many injuries heal perfectly over time, others can cause a lifetime of damage. Even if you feel hopeless in your case, there are lawyers who can help you turn things around.
For example, this birth injuries attorney precluded a defense that had been around for two decades, something that other attorneys in the country had never been able to do before. For every case, there’s a lawyer willing to fight hard for you to ensure you get fair compensation.
Learn More about Preventable Birth Injuries
Giving birth to your baby is one of the most special moments in your life. If it’s been affected by preventable birth injuries, then make sure you get proper compensation for you and your baby’s suffering. While it won’t make up for the traumatic experiences, at least it can aid in the process of recovery.
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