Sacramento Birth Injury Lawyers

Several different birth injuries occur with some frequency during delivery, including:

Fractured Clavicle

This is the most common birth injury and is usually easy to identify. During childbirth, an infant’s clavicle can break due to extreme pressure. You might hear a fractured clavicle referred to as a “broken collarbone,” although it’s not in the same area as an adult’s collarbone. 

The injury can heal on its own with no long-term effects. However, if accompanied by other injuries, a fractured clavicle can affect breathing or feeding. In these cases, a doctor may recommend intervention.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage before or during birth. There are four types of cerebral palsy, most often caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain during labor and delivery. A cerebral palsy birth injury might not become apparent until months after birth, so if your child shows delays in speech or motor skills around age two, you should talk with your pediatrician immediately.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

A brachial plexus injury occurs when the baby’s shoulder nerves are stretched too much, torn, compressed, or inflamed during birth. The result is generally a weakened arm that may not gain strength as quickly as other children’s arms do. If identified early enough, your doctor may recommend encouraging the development of the arm muscles with physical therapy.

Erb’s Palsy 

Erb’s palsy is a brachial plexus compression, which can cause weakness or paralysis in parts of the shoulder and arm. If not identified early, Erb’s palsy can have lasting effects on your baby’s movements and motor skills. In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct issues if they become too severe. Physical therapy also can play a role in helping your child develop normally.

Facial Paralysis (Facial Nerve Damage)

Typically caused by physical trauma during birth or c-section scar contracture, facial paralysis affects the seventh cranial nerve, which controls the mouth and lower eyelid movement. If your child is born with facial paralysis, they may have a crooked smile or drooping eyelid. 

Neck Injuries

The most common form of neck injury that occurs during birth is torticollis, also known as wryneck. Babies with this condition are born with misaligned neck muscles due to pressure on their heads during birth. This condition is usually temporary; however, severe cases may require physical therapy or surgery.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia happens when one or both of the baby’s shoulders get stuck during delivery due to their large size compared to the mother’s pelvis. It usually requires immediate medical attention because prolonged pressure on the newborn can damage nerves, blood vessels, and joints in the shoulder. This injury can result in long-term problems like limited range of motion, arthritis, or even heart problems later in life.

Umbilical Cord Injuries

During labor, your doctor may have you lie on your back with your legs in stirrups so they can use gravity to help move the baby down through the birth canal. This position can cause twisting or kinking of the umbilical cord if not monitored closely by medical staff. In severe cases, this can cut off the oxygen supply from the placenta to the baby, resulting in permanent damage.