Injuries at Birth are an Especially Unfortunate Malpractice

<h1>Injuries at Birth are an Especially Unfortunate Malpractice</h1>Author: <a title="Lynn Fugaro" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/lynn-fugaro/33632.htm">Lynn Fugaro</a> A <a href="http://www.accidentlawillinois.com/medical_malpractice.html">birth injury</a> is defined as damage sustained during the birthing process, most often occurring during transit through the birth canal. A difficult birth or an injury to the baby may occur because of the baby's size or the position of the baby during labor and delivery. Birth injuries may occur, also, if the birth canal is too small or the fetus is too large (this sometimes occurs when the mother has diabetes). The rate of birth injuries is much lower than in previous decades, but birth injuries do still happen and the results can often be devastating to the life of the child.

The following conditions may be associated with a difficult birth:

·	Premature babies (babies born before 37 weeks)

·	Prolonged labor

·	Dystocia

·	Abnormal birth position

·	Large babies (more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces)

Resulting injuries of difficult births include:

·	Facial paralysis: During labor or birth, pressure on a baby's face may cause the facial nerve to be injured. Forceps may also cause this. The injury is often seen when the baby cries for the first time as there is no movement on the side of the face with the injury and the eye cannot close.

·	Fractures: Fractures of the clavicle (collarbone) is the most common fracture during labor and delivery. The clavicle may break when there is difficulty delivering the baby's shoulder or during a breech birth.

·	Brachial palsy: Brachial palsy (also known as <a href="http://www.accidentlawillinois.com/erbs_palsy.html">Erb's Palsy</a>) occurs when the brachial plexus (group of nerves that supplies the arms and hands) is injured. This happens often when there is dystocia. Tearing of the nerve may result in permanent nerve damage. A newborn with Erb's palsy will have his arm straight down at his side and will not move it and sometimes the arm may be slightly turned with a bent wrist and straight fingers.

·	<a href="http://www.accidentlawillinois.com/cerebral_palsy.html">Cerebral palsy</a>: CP is a permanent and irreversible crippling condition that affects the brain and central nervous system. Possible causes of CP during the birth process are unrecognized or untreated signs of fetal distress; the baby being stuck in the birth canal because of its size or position; placenta being prematurely sheared by the birth process; and untreated umbilical cord compression.

The birth of a child is supposed to be one of the happiest occasions in an adult's life, and most deliveries go smoothly. However, complications can arise during pregnancy and delivery, and these problems may result in serious and long-term injury to your newborn baby. If the harm to your baby was unavoidable, it is important to be aware of your legal rights regarding the birth of your newborn.

About the Author: If you or a loved one has suffered or died due to <a href="http://www.accidentlawillinois.com/medical_malpractice.html">medical malpractice in Chicago</a> or anywhere in Illinois, please contact a <a href="http://www.accidentlawillinois.com/cerebral_palsy.html">Chicago birth injury lawyer</a> at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. today to schedule your initial consultation.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/injuries-at-birth-are-an-especially-unfortunate-malpractice-245623.html" title="Injuries at Birth are an Especially Unfortunate Malpractice">Injuries at Birth are an Especially Unfortunate Malpractice</a>

A birth injury is defined as damage sustained during the birthing process, most often occurring during transit through the birth canal. A difficult birth or an injury to the baby may occur because of the baby's size or the position of the baby during labor and delivery. Birth injuries may occur, also, if the birth canal is too small or the fetus is too large (this sometimes occurs when the mother has diabetes). The rate of birth injuries is much lower than in previous decades, but birth injuries do still happen and the results can often be devastating to the life of the child.

The following conditions may be associated with a difficult birth:
· Premature babies (babies born before 37 weeks)
· Prolonged labor
· Dystocia
· Abnormal birth position
· Large babies (more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces)

Resulting injuries of difficult births include:

· Facial paralysis: During labor or birth, pressure on a baby's face may cause the facial nerve to be injured. Forceps may also cause this. The injury is often seen when the baby cries for the first time as there is no movement on the side of the face with the injury and the eye cannot close.
· Fractures: Fractures of the clavicle (collarbone) is the most common fracture during labor and delivery. The clavicle may break when there is difficulty delivering the baby's shoulder or during a breech birth.
· Brachial palsy: Brachial palsy (also known as Erb's Palsy) occurs when the brachial plexus (group of nerves that supplies the arms and hands) is injured. This happens often when there is dystocia. Tearing of the nerve may result in permanent nerve damage. A newborn with Erb's palsy will have his arm straight down at his side and will not move it and sometimes the arm may be slightly turned with a bent wrist and straight fingers.
· Cerebral palsy: CP is a permanent and irreversible crippling condition that affects the brain and central nervous system. Possible causes of CP during the birth process are unrecognized or untreated signs of fetal distress; the baby being stuck in the birth canal because of its size or position; placenta being prematurely sheared by the birth process; and untreated umbilical cord compression.

The birth of a child is supposed to be one of the happiest occasions in an adult's life, and most deliveries go smoothly. However, complications can arise during pregnancy and delivery, and these problems may result in serious and long-term injury to your newborn baby. If the harm to your baby was unavoidable, it is important to be aware of your legal rights regarding the birth of your newborn.

If you or a loved one has suffered or died due to medical malpractice in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, please contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. today to schedule your initial consultation.

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/injuries-at-birth-are-an-especially-unfortunate-malpractice-245623.html

Related Articles
Related Q&A

Latest Law Articles
More from Lynn Fugaro

Where Can You Access Court Records At No Cost To Check A Persons Court Cases

By: James Nash | 03/12/2009
Finding court records isn’t a nightmare anymore. Waiting in lines and filling forms is just a thing of a past nowadays because internet has made all the records available to you online, free of charge.

ISA Checking- Providing Protection Cover to Children and Vulnerable Adults

By: Article Manager | 03/12/2009
Protecting children and vulnerable adult from being served by unsuitable individual, UK has ISA that check every individual before they commence their work with children or vulnerable adults. ISA checking with the help of CRB proves to be handy for providing protection to children and vulnerable adults.

CRB Clearance- Ensuring Safe and Secured Recruitment

By: Article Manager | 03/12/2009
The CRB clearance service is quite helpful for public, private and voluntary organizations as it enables them to determine the person credibility for the job. This further helps the organizations to ensue safe and secured recruitment. An individual can also apply for CRB clearance if his employer is not willing to apply due to any reason.

How to Research and Find Personal Injury Attorneys

By: Marshall Diaz | 03/12/2009
As many Floridians know, sustaining a serious injury is nearly always an upsetting and scary event. When you are injured through the acts of others, whether in an accident, or though negligence, the situation can be even more difficult to endure. Not only do you have to deal with hospitalization,...

How to Find Reputable Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyers

By: Marshall Diaz | 03/12/2009
Personal injury cause by the harmful act or neglect of another can happen most any time and any place. And when they do, it is important to know your rights and how to protect them. Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys have long represented Floridians in these cases and specializing in...

New Hampshire Trial Lawyer Information

By: Collin Clarke | 02/12/2009
If you want to find a great NH trial counsel, you should ask yourself this question. What makes a good trial lawyer? If you have thought of any idea or any answer to this question then you'll surely be able to find a great NH trial lawyer to help you. A good NH trial counsel should be ready to hook up with the jury. Juries are inclined to lend their ear to a lawyer that they can connect to on a private level. Knowing thi...

How I Beat Tiger Woods

By: Phillip Braswell | 02/12/2009
How can a common everyday 12 handicapper beat Tiger Woods without receiving any strokes?

Teeth Whitening in Beverly Hills

By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | Dental Care
Many factors can cause your teeth to darken or become stained over time. Some of these are controllable, such as staining caused by smoking or foods and beverages. Others are simply due to the natural effects of aging. However, teeth whitening can quickly and easily restore your teeth to their original color.

When Would I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?

By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | Criminal
It’s a situation you hope never to have to face—arrest for a criminal offense. If you are ever forced to deal with this difficult scenario, it’s important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side to ensure the best possible outcome.

Breast Augmentation in Orange County

By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | Beauty
The increasing popularity and availability of breast augmentation surgery has made it more socially acceptable than ever. While once the surgery was pursued mostly by actresses and models, now many women undergo breast augmentation for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, breast augmentation allows hundreds of thousands of women each year to feel confident and comfortable in their bodies.

Breast Augmentation in Orange County

Sedation Dentistry in Houston

By: Lynn Fugaro | 12/11/2009 | Dental Care
For some people, a simple visit to the dentist brings on panic attacks so severe that even twice-yearly checkups and cleanings are virtually impossible. If you are among these people, sedation dentistry can help you overcome your fear and get the regular dental care you need.

Dental Implants in Virginia

By: Lynn Fugaro | 11/11/2009 | Dental Care
Having a gap in one’s smile not only makes it difficult to chew and speak, it can also cause the neighboring teeth to shift which can alter the bite and even lead to deterioration of the jawbone. In the past, dentures and dental bridges were the only ways to correct a missing tooth

Why Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer?

By: Lynn Fugaro | 11/11/2009 | Intellectual Property
When a marriage dissolves, emotions run high, and the people involved in the dispute too often end up doing or saying things in the heat of the moment that they later regret. This is particularly damaging if there are children involved in divorce negotiations. In seeking to keep divorce proceedings civil, and to make the whole process easier on everyone concerned, an experienced divorce lawyer can make a huge difference.

What is Personal Injury Law?

By: Lynn Fugaro | 11/11/2009 | Personal Injury
No matter how careful you are, at some point in your life you are likely to have an accident of some sort, whether it’s a traffic accident, a slip and fall accident, or another incident that leaves you injured. In those cases where your injury is due to negligence on the part of another person, a company, or another organization, personal injury law is there to protect you.