The process of labor and delivery is very natural. It has been happening since the beginning of humankind. However, not every birth in Pennsylvania goes smoothly and without issues. Sometimes, birth injuries occur to the baby. The most common of these, though, are generally temporary issues that clear up without any long-lasting effects.
According to Stanford Children’s Health, a birth injury is any type of injury that occurs when a baby is born. They can happen to you or your baby. Typically, if your baby has injuries, they will not be severe. For example, a broken collarbone is a common occurrence due to the shoulders being compressed as the baby comes through the birth canal. In babies, fractures heal quickly. Bruising is also common due to the general trauma of the birthing process. While they may look bad, they should clear up fast.
Some issues may be more serious and even be scary to you. This includes brachial palsy. It is when the nerves in your baby’s arms and hands are damaged. It causes paralysis. It is usually temporary because it is caused by bruising of the nerve, but in some cases, the nerves are torn and it could become permanent. Another potentially harmful condition is facial paralysis caused by damage to the nerves. If bruised, the nerve heals on its own, but if the nerve is broken, your baby may need surgery. Finally, there is cephalohematoma, which is bleeding under the skull. This is often minor and clears up on its own, but in some cases, it leads to jaundice. This information is for education and is not legal advice.