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What are some common birth injuries?

On Behalf of | Apr 29, 2015 | Personal Injury |

No pregnant woman wants to learn that something is wrong with the baby she is carrying. For some women, the baby seems fine and healthy until labor and delivery. The women who learn their baby was harmed during the labor and delivery process might have the option to seek compensation if the injury was caused by medical neglect or malpractice. Knowing the basics about some of the most common birth injuries might help these mothers to decide how to proceed.

Why does my baby have eyes that look bloodshot?

Some babies have a subconjunctival hemorrhage, which is the breaking of some blood vessels in the eyes. It is possible for both eyes or one eye to be affected. The baby might have a red band across the white part of the eye. In many cases, the red areas are absorbed in seven to 10 days.

Why can’t my baby move his or her arms?

Some babies suffer from brachial palsy at birth. This occurs when the nerves that control the hands and arms are injured during birth. When those nerves are injured, the baby can’t rotate or flex the affected arm. Generally, the baby will regain movement in the arm in a few months, but if the nerves are torn, the damage can be permanent.

Are bruises normal on a newborn?

If the baby was born using forceps or vacuum extraction, some bruising might occur. Even without those factors, it is possible for the baby to be bruised as it comes down the birth canal and through the mother’s pelvic bones. These bruises usually go away over time.

Any parent who feels that a birth injury was caused by medical malpractice or neglect should seek to have the case evaluated. From there, a course of action can be determined.

Source: Stanford Children’s Health, “Birth Injury,” accessed April. 30, 2015

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