Birth Injuries That Often Occur During Labor and Delivery

Missouri Malpractice Lawyers List Potential Birth Injuries You Should Know About

Childbirth is a beautiful thing, though it isn’t always problem-free. Several kinds of birth injuries can take place during the labor and delivery process. Some are temporary and are resolved within a few days, while others have long-lasting effects ranging from mild to extremely severe.

Not sure what a birth injury is or what you should do if your child experienced one? Our birth injury lawyers at Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet provide the following examples that all parents should be aware of and explain what you should do if you think your child may have suffered a birth injury.

13 Common Birth Injuries and Symptoms

The phrase birth injury refers to any harm or damage that occurs to a baby during the process of labor and delivery. These issues result from various factors, including physical pressure during birth, medical complications, improper use of delivery tools, or other unforeseen circumstances that arise during delivery. Here are some of the conditions our clients have experienced with their babies.

1. Lacerations

Cuts or tears to the baby’s skin aren’t unusual during delivery. These lacerations often result from using surgical instruments such as scalpels or forceps.

2. Fractures

Clavicle or collarbone fractures happen for a variety of reasons, including the size of the baby or a narrow birth canal. More serious birth trauma fractures usually occur due to more complicated deliveries.

3. Blood Bump

Cephalohematoma, commonly referred to as a blood bump, is bleeding between a newborn’s skull and the membrane covering it. It appears as a raised lump and frequently resolves on its own.

4. Intracranial Hemorrhage

As a birth injury, intracranial hemorrhage refers to bleeding inside a newborn’s skull. It can occur due to trauma during delivery, and its severity is based on the extent of the bleeding.

5. Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

A red spot in a newborn’s eye is a sign that the baby may have experienced subconjunctival hemorrhage caused by pressure during birth or an assisted delivery using a vacuum or forceps. In rare cases, there can be more complicated damage, but most conditions heal within a couple of weeks.

6. Caput Succedaneum

Caput succedaneum, commonly called swollen scalp, refers to swelling of a newborn’s head caused by pressure during delivery. It usually goes away within a few days of birth.

7. Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby's shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery. Typical symptoms include bruising or swelling on a newborn’s shoulder or arm. If not managed properly, shoulder dystocia causes nerve damage or fractures.

8. Brachial Plexus Injury

This condition is damage to nerves that send signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Common early symptoms include a lack of grasp reflex and a limited range of motion. It may occur during delivery and result in arm weakness or paralysis.

9. Facial Nerve Palsy

Another common birth injury, it’s caused by pressure on your baby’s face during delivery. You’ll notice signs such as mouth drooping, abnormal facial movement, an eyelid that doesn’t close all the way, or asymmetrical facial expressions. This condition sometimes improves over time, but many cases require surgical intervention or physical therapy.

10. Cerebral Palsy 

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the term given to a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone. CP is often caused by damage to a baby’s developing brain before, during, or after birth. Medical malpractice often contributes to CP because of a failure to monitor a baby’s oxygen levels during delivery or ignoring a necessary Cesarean section. Early symptoms include abnormal reflexes and difficulty feeding. 

11. Perinatal Asphyxia

This birth injury occurs when a baby doesn’t receive adequate oxygen before, during, or shortly after birth. Early symptoms include difficulty breathing, abnormal heart rate, and weak or absent crying. It varies in severity—the most complex cases frequently cause long-term damage. 

12. Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

HIE is brain damage caused by a prolonged or severe lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain during or immediately following birth. It usually results from severe perinatal asphyxia. HIE has many symptoms and leads to long-term neurological issues.

13. Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS)

MAS occurs when during delivery, infants inhale a mixture of their meconium or first feces and amniotic fluid. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, cyanosis, grunting, or wheezing. Depending on severity, MAS can cause long-term respiratory issues and other problems. 

What to Do if Your Child May Have a Birth Injury

Whether this is your first child or one of many, each delivery is unique. At first, you might feel you’re overreacting to signs that something might be wrong but don’t doubt your instincts. Contact your pediatrician or another qualified medical provider right away to discuss your concerns so they can perform a thorough evaluation and testing. 

If your child did experience a birth injury, follow the recommended treatment plan and continue to monitor your child’s symptoms and progress. It’s also important to review your child’s birth records and any medical documentation related to the injury, as this information can be useful for ongoing care and consultations with specialists—and to share with legal counsel should you decide to take legal action.

When to Consult Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet About Your Child’s Birth Injury 

It’s never too soon to have a consultation with one of our medical malpractice attorneys, as our considerable experience with these cases allows us to provide a thorough evaluation of your circumstances and advise if you should pursue a settlement that addresses: 

• Unresolved medical costs. If you’re facing substantial bills for the treatment and management of the birth injury, we’ll outline what losses you’re due to recover. 

• Medical negligence or error. If you suspect contributing factors to your baby’s complicated birth included improper use of delivery instruments, failure to monitor fetal distress, or incorrectly administering medication, our lawyers will examine all the evidence to prove that a duty of care was breached. 

• Complex or severe injury. If your child experienced a severe or complex birth that may have long-term effects on their development or quality of life or that may lead to permanent disabilities, we’ll structure a strong case for compensation that accounts for their current and future needs.

Birth injury cases often involve multiple parties, such as hospitals, individual health care providers, and insurance companies. At Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet, our compassionate legal team has a vital track record of success in medical malpractice cases, including those involving birth injuries. Trust us to care for your family’s needs during this troubling time.