When a Texas couple learns that they are pregnant, they likely imagine that the birth will be normal with no complications. However, the child is always at risk for suffering a physical injury or physical trauma during the birth process.
There are many ways a birth injury can occur. Babies that have a birth weight of more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces may be at risk for suffering an injury. Babies born prematurely, or before 37 weeks, tend to be more fragile and may suffer a birth injury as a result. The mother’s pelvis may not be adequately shaped for the baby’s birth. A prolonged labor or difficult birth, referred to as dystocia, may also result in a birth injury.
There are several common birth injuries that a baby may sustain. One common type of birth injury is bruising on the head or face, which may be caused by passing through the birth canal. Forceps can also leave marks on the baby’s head. Fractures to the clavicle or collarbone can occur if there is a breech birth or if the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck during birth. Further, brachial palsy, which causes the baby to lose the ability to rotate and flex the arm, can occur if there are complications when delivering the baby’s shoulder.
Although some birth injuries heal, there are others that can have lifelong health impacts on both the baby and the mother. In worst-case scenarios, the baby may need round-the-clock care, expensive treatment and medications for the rest of his or her life. If it is determined that the birth injuries were caused by a doctor or health care professional during the birth, an attorney may assist with filing a lawsuit against the doctor that caused the injury and the hospital where the birth injury took place.
