What are some common birth injuries?

What are some common birth injuries?

The following are common birth injuries:

  • Brachial palsy. This occurs when the group of nerves that supplies the arms and hands (brachial plexus) is injured.
  • Bruising or forceps marks.
  • Caput succedaneum.
  • Cephalohematoma.
  • Facial paralysis.
  • Fractures.
  • Subconjunctival hemorrhage.

What are birth injuries?

A birth injury is any type of harm to a baby that occurs during or near the time of birth. This can include oxygen deprivation (birth asphyxia), excessive pressure on the baby’s head or body (birth trauma), contracting an infection, and other complications.

What are causes of birth injuries?

What causes birth injury?

  • The baby is large.
  • The baby is not head-first in the birth canal.
  • The baby is born prematurely or too early.
  • The size or shape of the mother’s pelvis or birth canal makes it difficult for a normal vaginal birth.
  • Labor is difficult or very long.
  • The mother is very overweight.

How many birth injuries are there?

Unfortunately, this is not always the case and there are about 28,000 birth injuries per year, many of which are preventable. This translates to approximately seven out of every 1000 babies born in the U.S. per year that sustain birth injuries or three every hour.

What is the most common birth trauma?

Head injury is the most common birth-related injury. Head molding is not an injury. Molding refers to the normal change in shape of the baby’s head that results from pressure on the head during delivery. In most births, the head is the first part to enter the birth canal.

What are the complications of birth injury?

Traumatic Birth Injury Complications

  • The improper administration of drugs to a pregnant women that are harmful to a fetus.
  • Delayed decision to perform a c-section.
  • Failure to monitor for, or detect, fetal distress.
  • Improper usage of a vacuum extractor or forceps.
  • Failure to administer oxygen to a newborn in distress.

How are birth injuries diagnosed?

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, uses magnets to generate an image of the body. This test can help physicians to spot abnormalities in the brain or body that may indicate birth injuries. MRIs may be helpful in diagnosing cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, and many other types of birth injuries.

What is the most common type of birth injury?

How common is birth trauma?

It’s been estimated that up to 1 in 3 women who give birth may experience birth trauma. Many women find the experience of childbirth emotionally traumatic. Birth trauma can’t always be prevented, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk.

Are birth injuries permanent?

Some birth injuries, like cerebral palsy, are permanent and will require special care throughout the injured child’s lifetime as they grow and develop. Fortunately, there are other birth injuries which may fully or partially heal with proper treatment and the passage of time.