Birth injuries can have a profound and lasting impact on the lives of both the newborn and their mother. This trauma often results from complications during the labor and delivery process.
Understanding the various conditions that can arise from birth injuries is important, as it can help families and healthcare providers take appropriate measures to address them.
Cerebral palsy
One common condition resulting from birth injuries is cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affect a person’s movement, muscle tone and coordination.
It can occur when there is damage to the developing brain, often due to a lack of oxygen during birth or trauma to the head. Children with cerebral palsy may experience difficulty walking, talking and performing everyday tasks.
Erb’s palsy
Erb’s palsy is another condition that can arise from birth injuries. 1 or 2 in every 1,000 babies get this injury. This condition affects the nerves in the baby’s upper arm, often resulting from excessive pulling or stretching during delivery. Erb’s palsy can lead to weakness or paralysis in the affected arm, making it challenging for the child to use it effectively.
Facial nerve trauma
Facial nerve injuries in babies can occur as a result of complications during birth, typically when there is excessive pressure on the baby’s face during delivery. These injuries can lead to facial weakness or paralysis in the affected infant, impacting their ability to make facial expressions, smile or blink. Facial nerve injuries are not only physically distressing but can also affect the child’s social and emotional development as they may struggle to communicate and interact effectively with others.
Immediately after birth, a mother may not know how to emotionally react to a birth injury that affects her newborn. By learning more about these conditions, she can better handle this situation with confidence.