A birth injury, like cerebral palsy, is one of the most devastating things a family can go through. The birth of a child should be one of the happiest times in a person’s life. If a birth injury occurs, that moment of happiness and joy will be crushed. This is especially true if the injury, like cerebral palsy, is due to doctor and/or nurse error.
What Causes A Birth Injury Like Cerebral Palsy?
There can be many causes of a birth injury. It can be the result of physical pressure during the birth process. This is often due to an issue that occurs when the baby is moving through the birth canal. If the baby becomes stuck, a nerve injury can occur. This usually affects the shoulders, as the doctor may need to forcefully pull the baby to get him or her through the canal. More serious injuries can also occur, though. For example, if the baby’s head becomes stuck, or if the umbilical cord wraps around the baby’s neck, the baby can lose oxygen. Unlike an adult, who can hold his or her breath for a long period of time, babies are unable to do so. If a baby is without oxygen for too long it can result in brain damage. This condition is called cerebral palsy.
What Injuries Does It Cause?
A baby who has cerebral palsy will typically have problems with muscle tone, movement, and motor skills. The child may not be able to sit up on his or her own. There may be difficulty holding a bottle or a toy. Speech can be affected. The greater the brain damage, the greater the deficit. This type of birth injury is something that will affect a child for his or her entire life. This not only impacts the quality of life for the child, but it also will lead to overwhelming medical bills.
A birth injury like cerebral palsy is almost always preventable. Nurses must be on high alert for any potential problems with the baby’s heart rate. A decreased heart rate can mean the baby is not getting the oxygen it needs. If this happens, the nurses must notify the doctor. The doctor then may have to perform an emergency c-section to deliver the baby before he or she sustains brain damage. Emergency c-sections can be completed very quickly, and can prevent injury.
Contact us today if you have any questions about birth injuries or how our team of lawyers can help those who have been affected by birth injuries in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Avondale, Mesa, Tucson, FLagstaff, and all the surrounding cities in Arizona.
