Don’t Ignore the Early Signs of a Birth Injury

The birth of your child is a momentous occasion and should fill your life with joy. Unfortunately, things can go horribly wrong during delivery and the first moments of your baby’s life. According to the National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report 2017, an estimated 28,000 infants suffer harm every year due to medical mistakes.

If you have a feeling that your infant sustained a birth injury, you could be correct. However, it’s important to recognize the immediate signs right away so you can get proper medical attention and legal help from a Florida birth injuries attorney. Indications of a problem may include:

Concerns During Labor and Delivery: Some birth injuries are the result of improper management when the mother is in labor and engaged in delivery. Even without a medical background, you should keep an eye out for such birth injury signs as:

• Excessive bleeding, which could be the result of separation of the placenta from the uterus. This may deprive the fetus of essential oxygen;
• The umbilical cord emerging from the birth canal before the baby, leading to a disruption of oxygen and blood flow;
• The umbilical cord wrapping around the infant’s neck during delivery, often requiring an emergency C-section to restore the flow of oxygen;
• Fetal distress, which may occur because of failure to monitor vital signs.

These issues don’t necessarily mean that your baby has suffered a permanent injury, and some may be inevitable with particularly complicated deliveries. Others are preventable or can be alleviated when diagnosed quickly.

Indications of Birth Injuries in Newborns: Even if your delivery seemed normal, some other signs of injuries may manifest later – such as the first few hours or days of the infant’s life. It may be cause for concern if:

• You observe limpness, paralysis, or weak muscle tone in your baby;
• You’re told that your infant suffered fractures or abrasions; or,
• Your child suffers from seizures or has a high-pitched cry.

In addition, there are some developmental indications of a problem with your baby. Pay close attention if your infant doesn’t meet certain milestones that are expected by a week, two weeks, or more. The early signs may include:

• Difficulty with nursing or getting enough sustenance through nursing;
• Not blinking or closing the eyes when exposed to bright lights;
• Lack of response to loud noises or voices;
• The inability to grasp your finger or other objects; and,
• Many more.

At times, these medical issues are minor and are easily resolved through proper treatment. Some others may be serious, potentially leading to permanent disability or death.

Speak to a Florida Birth Injury Lawyer for Free 

Even if you sense that something’s amiss with your infant’s health, you may not know exactly what to do about the situation. Our attorneys at Freidin Brown, P.A. are experienced in birth injury cases, so we’re familiar with the signs and can assist with your next steps. To learn more, please contact our firm to schedule a no-cost consultation at our offices in Miami or Fort Myers, FL.

Resource:

ahrq.gov/research/findings/nhqrdr/nhqdr17/index.html

Risks Involved with Improper Use of Forceps by Florida Physicians