Labor and delivery are exhausting processes that come on the heels of months of pregnancy. Many new mothers are so exhausted in the first days after giving birth that they struggle to meet their own needs effectively. They may require support from family members and medical professionals as they adjust to their postpartum bodies and learn to meet the needs of their newborns.
Occasionally, new parents have a particularly challenging process ahead of them. The child that they just had may have sustained a birth injury. Negligence on the part of health care professionals during labor and delivery or mistakes during the administration of different interventions could result in preventable and possibly permanent birth injuries for newborns.
What are some of the warning signs of birth injuries that parents should know about?
Bruising and inflammation on the head
Minor bruises on newborns are common after labor and delivery. They can result from the force of contractions or even the use of forceps. However, bruises can also serve as an indicator of internal injuries. Particularly when accompanied by inflamed tissue, bruising may be a warning sign of a more serious issue below the surface.
Distorted arm placement
Erb’s palsy, or brachial plexus birth palsy, is one of the most common birth injuries. Newborns may have arms that do not lay evenly when they are in a relaxed state. They may also demonstrate difficulty moving both of their arms equally. Signs of limited strength or range of motion in one arm could be an indicator of an injury to the neck or shoulders during labor and delivery.
Unexplained crying
Some people are quick to ascribe seemingly inexplicable crying from a newborn to colic. However, many babies that people view as colicky might actually have chronic pain from an injury that requires treatment. Particularly when parents notice that a baby cries consistently despite having its basic needs met, it may be time to request an in-depth medical evaluation to rule out possible birth injuries that could affect the baby’s health, comfort and long-term development. Parents often need to be their own advocates and also advocates fighting for the fair treatment and diagnosis of their newborns.
Recognizing that an infant may have sustained a birth injury can help parents get appropriate care, possibly starting with a second opinion. If a birth injury was the result of medical malpractice, families may have grounds to seek compensation for the impacts of that injury.