There is no greater joy than to be parents, but families often go through a tough time before attaining the title of parenthood. In many cases, people often face complications during or after the birth of their baby; the complications can be in the mother or with the child. Either way, it is a difficult time for families expecting to celebrate the birth of their child. One of the issues is babies born with birth injuries. It is defined as damage caused to the baby before, during, or after labor and delivery. Regardless of the time of the injury, it is a near-death experience for families to see their child with a birth injury.
These birth injuries vary in severity, so their treatment is also dissimilar. The treatments may include hypothermic treatment, surgery to repair damaged nerves or life on medication, and the need for assistance to perform basic functions of life. Often these birth injuries are not visible at the time of the birth and become more apparent as time passes. Therefore, parents need to make sure that their child undergoes all the screenings and the required medical tests at the time of birth.
What Legal Actions To Take In Case Of A Birth Injury?
You don’t want someone else to suffer from the same agony as you do; therefore, ensure the causes. Was it due to medical negligence, or was your child born with the birth injury? If medical negligence is proved, you must contact a birth injury attorney to make your case. The job of such lawyers is to get you justice for the wrongdoing and some financial compensation for your child to go through the expensive treatment.
What To Do To Help A Child With A Birth Injury?
Irrespective of the type and cause of the birth injury, it is very important to consult a doctor and get the proper treatment for your child as soon as possible. Sometimes, a child is born with a temporary birth injury such as subgaleal hematoma, congenital torticollis, and other bone and nerve injuries that heal with time. However, upon discovery, you may need to keep the child under observation in the medical facility for some time. The chances of recovery also depend on how soon the treatment is given; therefore, time is an important factor helping you to alter the damage. Below are some ways for treating various types of birth injuries.
- Surgical Treatments For Birth Injuries
Surgery is one of the ways to treat birth injuries. It can be used for many injuries, including nerve damage and skull fractures. The most common nerve injury is the damage caused to the brachial plexus. This happens at birth due to stretching between head and shoulder. Often this injury is minor in babies and gets recovered with time. Surgery is used only for severe damages where the nerve is torn.
Another birth injury requiring surgery is the skull fracture. This simply occurs when the baby is under immense pressure when coming out of the birth canal or the inappropriate use of instruments. Instruments are often used when the baby is unusually large or in breech birth. A minor skull fracture heals on its own. However, when severe, it may cause hemorrhage and bleeding in the brain. These are dangerous conditions where surgery is needed to remove the blood and excessive fluids that put pressure on the brain.
- Physical Therapy Treatment
Another way to treat children with birth injuries is by physical therapy. This treatment can be effective, especially in Erb’s palsy and cerebral palsy. Erb’s palsy is a type of muscle weakness or paralysis that happens due to damage to the brachial plexus nerve; therefore, it is often called brachial plexus palsy. In Erb’s palsy, physical therapy helps the baby gain strength in muscles, move the body, regain sensation, and reduce pain. Physical therapy is also an essential part of treating children born with cerebral palsy. Due to cerebral palsy, children cannot maintain their balance.
- Medications
Apart from therapies, medications also treat children with birth injuries. However, these treatments are not curative, and most do not reach the root of the problem. Regardless, they can help you stabilize your child’s symptoms and give some relief. Medications including painkillers, muscle relaxants, anti-spatial medications can help your child in Erb’s and Cerebral palsy by controlling the movements and reducing the pain.
After finding out the issue, the treatment decision for a child with birth injuries is crucial. Parents should consult a specialist to take the medical advice and start their child’s treatment. Delaying can often increase the intensity of minor injuries, which often heal quickly. Early interventions are essential to help your child benefit from surgery, medications, and therapies. You also need to take the help of a
