Birth trauma in the United States happens to approximately 29 out of every 1,000 babies. Birth injuries are not common but can happen at any moment.
Statistics show a higher number of these traumas occur to larger babies, but the question is why?
Health issues such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or preterm birth may occur if a mother is not careful with her diet during the pregnancy.
Dietary choices can be significant in a baby’s health; if a mother is eating food high in fat, her chances for gestational diabetes can increase and may even affect the baby’s weight. An overweight infant may have increased risk of birth defects and birth injuries.
Bigger babies can present several types of risks during the birthing process. Oftentimes a large infant is much bigger than the mother’s birthing canal and for this reason, other measures must be taken.
These birthing methods may be necessary to safely deliver a larger baby:
- Cesarean section: doctors have to surgically remove the baby from the womb.
- Obstetric forceps: this birthing tool looks similar to tongs and a doctor may use it to grab or maneuver the infant during delivery.
- Vacuum extraction: a vacuum delivery allows a doctor to guide the baby out of the birth canal
Birthing a larger infant may require some of these steps to be taken. However, if the tools are not used properly it can have serious effects on your child!
Oxygen deprivation, Brachial Plexus, Bell’s palsy, and bone fractures are just a few of the possible consequences of the mentioned birthing methods.
There are always risks associated with childbirth, but these types of birth injuries can occur due to the doctor’s own medical error or substandard care. In other words, your baby’s injury may have been preventable.
If your baby was delivered using any of the methods above and has suffered severe injury, you need to call me immediately. It will take an experienced attorney to identify the substandard care and the consequences on your child.
As your Ohio birth injury lawyer, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay! ®
Author: Tim Misny | For more than 34 years, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving “Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities.” You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 1 (800) 556-4769.
