5 Types of Birth Injuries and How to Advocate for Your Child
Birth traumas can alter not just a child’s but also the life of a whole family. Ranging from catastrophic to exceptionally minor, injuries happen before, during, or soon after birth. Some recover eventually, but others will carry physical or developmental issues needing continuous care.
Early intervention and long-term care depend on the knowledge you have of the many forms of birth injury and how to promote your child’s interests. This blog post shares five of the most commonly occurring birth injuries, along with what you may do to make sure your kid receives the appropriate care.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a nerve group that controls arm, hand, and shoulder movement. Overstretching or overpulling in difficult delivery, such as shoulder dystocia, causes paralysis or weakening of the limb. Spontaneous recovery follows in some babies, but others require surgery or considerable physical therapy.
Working with pediatric specialty experts and closely monitoring your child is highly crucial. Record any milestones or problems your kid encounters or struggles with, and don’t hesitate to ask for an occupational or physical therapy referral in case development stalls. Early intervention matters.
Cerebral Palsy
Neurological disorders can hugely affect movements, posture, and muscle functions. This describes what happens in the case of Cerebral Palsy (CP). During birth, the baby needs care to ensure they’re in the best condition for the first minutes before, during, and after birth. Failure to do so can compromise their major systems, including the neurological system.
You might wonder, what is Cerebral Palsy? This condition happens due to damage to a developing brain during or before birth. It negatively affects motor skills and can bring serious physical disabilities. Should your child have CP, you will require an integrated team of therapists, neurologists, and educational experts. As a parent advocate, get to know your legal options, neighborhood resources, support groups, and therapy options.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is when the brain is not getting enough blood and oxygen at the time of birth. It will cause brain damage, growth delay, and long-term disability in some. HIE is severe and usually treated with therapeutic hypothermia for the initial hours of life to reduce brain injury.
Parents need regular developmental evaluation and joint work with neurologists. Being an advocate also involves looking after your rights under the law in case of suspected medical negligence; liaising with a lawyer specializing in birth injuries will obtain funding for delivering future continuing care and treatments.
Fractures
A clavicle fracture is among the more common bone injuries seen with birth, usually resulting from the delivery of a big baby or that which was hard to deliver. Unless an immediate X-ray is performed, it may take some time to notice the fracture.
To assist in healing, follow your child’s doctor’s recommendations regarding some immobilization and pain control. Watch for healing, and alert your doctor if your child misses developmental milestones.
Facial Nerve Injury
Force applied to a baby’s face during birth can cause facial nerve injury, thus resulting in temporary or, in some instances, permanent facial paralysis. This may be when forceps are applied or when the baby is not correctly aligned in the delivery canal.
In most instances, the condition will be rectified over time, but you must ensure appropriate evaluation by an expert or child neurologist if the symptoms persist. Offer your child physical therapy while seeking psychological support in case the trauma destroys their confidence.
Endnote
Though early detection and treatment are life-saving, birth injuries might not always resolve with immediate intervention. Your duty as a parent is to be observant and vigilant at every stage of your child’s medical, educational, and emotional development. Most can overcome challenges and have full, productive lives due to appropriate treatment and care.
