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Childbirth can be a pretty messy process. An entire extra human is having to come out of your body, and although the body is designed to make this process as non-harmful as possible, injuries can still occur in the process. Contributor post.
This could include injuries to the mother or injuries to the baby. Injuries to the mother are most common – 9 out of 10 mothers who have a natural birth need stitches, while many other mothers require a cesarean. Meanwhile, about 7 in 1000 babies experience birth injuries.
Fortunately, most birth injuries are easy to treat and heal within a week or two. Below is a brief guide to some of the common birth injuries and how to treat them.
What are some types of birth injuries?
There are many different types of birth injuries that can occur. Some of the most common birth injuries that babies experience include:
- Fractures: If a baby is having trouble getting through the birth canal, fractures may occur. The most common fracture is the clavicle (collar bone).
- Forcep marks: Forceps often only need to be used in an emergency. Scarring is common in these cases because the baby has to be hurriedly pulled out – although such scars are generally minimal and heal quickly.
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage: Forceful pressure during birth can cause some babies to experience burst eye vessels – known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage. As with forcep scars, these blood vessels often heal within a couple weeks.
- Brachial plexus palsy: Damage to nerves in the neck while pulling the baby out may lead to a condition known as brachial plexus palsy. This can lead to lack of feeling in one arm, although this may return with daily therapy.
- Facial paralysis: Nerve damage to the face during delivery can also lead to facial paralysis in some cases. This may be temporary or permanent.
When it comes to injuries to mothers, there are also a few common types of injuries including:
- Vaginal tear: Many mothers experience vaginal tears, but they are often mild and will heal in good time. Some can be more severe and may require more extensive treatment.
- C-section scars: Some mothers require a c-section. C-section scars need careful attention to make sure they heal properly.
- Epidural nerve damage: Sometimes an epidural can cause permanent nerve damage, which could include pain or lack of feeling in certain areas of the body.
- Pelvic fractures: In some births, the pressure can cause fractures to the pelvis or even the coccyx.
What causes birth injuries?
Birth injuries are more likely in certain situations. For instance, large babies are more likely to be injured when coming out, as is the mother. Similarly, premature babies can present issues because they are not fully formed and more fragile.
A long labor meanwhile could result in you or your baby becoming very tired and distressed, which could lead to injuries from use of necessary forceps. If the baby is not in the right position when coming out, this can also increase the risk of injuries to the baby such as fractures, as well as increasing the need for a cesarean.
Birth injuries can also be caused by medical malpractice. Fractures may be caused by incorrect handling of the baby, while infections involving stitches may be caused by poor quality stitchwork. Even conditions like cerebral palsy can be caused by accidental damage to the brain during birth. In these cases, you may be able to seek financial compensation with the help of a specialist lawyer such as a cerebral palsy lawyer.
When does a birth injury need to be treated?
Some injuries such as forcep scars may go away on their own without too much care being needed. Other injuries like fractures will need to be treated at the hospital and may require following a strict recovery process to help them heal.
Make sure to follow the advice of medical professionals when treating birth injuries. It is worth monitoring any injuries just in case you notice anything unusual – occasionally scars can get infected or a fracture may not heal properly. You should also keep an eye out for any injuries that may have gone under the radar. This could include hidden scars or crying whenever you touch a certain part of your baby’s body.