In the U.S., many families deal with some form of birth trauma, whether it’s an injury to the baby, the mother, or both. Some injuries are minor and heal with time, while others can have lasting effects.
Getting legal assistance for birth injuries is essential if your child’s birth injury is a result of medical negligence.
We have curated a list of steps that you can use as a roadmap when the child has been diagnosed with a birth injury.
Get Immediate Medical Evaluation
The very first thing to do is ensure both mother and baby receive a thorough medical evaluation. Some birth injuries, like bruising or swelling, might seem minor at first but could be signs of deeper issues.
For example, nerve damage from a brachial plexus injury can affect a baby’s ability to move their arm, while perinatal asphyxia (lack of oxygen at birth) can lead to serious long-term complications.
For mothers, injuries like perineal tears, pelvic floor trauma, or nerve damage might not be immediately obvious but can lead to chronic pain, incontinence, or mobility issues.
If you notice any unusual pain, weakness, or difficulty moving, get checked out immediately.
Understand the Injury
Once the injury is diagnosed, understanding exactly what you’re dealing with will help you make informed decisions. Birth injuries can affect babies in different ways, including:
- Nerve damage like brachial plexus injuries or facial paralysis
- Oxygen deprivation Bone fractures
- Head trauma
Mothers can also suffer serious birth injuries, including:
- Severe perineal tears that impact bladder and bowel control
- Pelvic organ prolapse from excessive pressure during delivery
- Nerve damage leading to chronic pelvic pain or numbness
Knowing what you’re dealing with will help guide treatment, recovery, and any next steps you may need to take.
Keep a Record of Everything
Keep track of every detail surrounding the injury. This includes medical appointments, test results, treatment plans, and any changes in symptoms.
Keeping a medical journal can be incredibly helpful, especially if you need to pursue legal action later. Be sure to record:
- Doctor visits and what was discussed
- Diagnosis details and prescribed treatments
- Any complications or new symptoms that arise
- Financial costs related to medical care
This documentation serves as a timeline of events and can be crucial in getting the right medical care, or proving negligence if needed.
Consider Legal Action
If there’s any suspicion that medical negligence played a role in the birth injury, you may need to consult a birth injury lawyer. As we know, mistakes are not uncommon during medical procedures. Things like delayed C-sections, improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors, failure to monitor distress, and medication errors can all lead to preventable injuries.
Begin Treatment and Rehabilitation
The treatment plan will depend on the specific birth injury diagnosed. For babies, common treatments include physical therapy for nerve or muscle injuries, surgery for severe fractures or nerve damage, and medications for pain management.
Mothers may require pelvic floor physiotherapy for muscle recovery, surgery for severe perineal tears or prolapse, pain management for nerve injuries, and emotional therapy for PTSD or postpartum depression. With time and quality medical care, both mother and child will be well on their way to achieving their best shot of stability. And if this stability requires finances to manifest, feel free to take legal action against the responsible party. They deserve to provide the funds necessary for the affected individuals to have a decent standard of living.
