The birth of a child is an occasion for joy and excitement for an Oregon family. This time of celebration can quickly turn into a time of concern and sadness when it becomes clear the baby is not as healthy as he or she should be. Birth injuries suffered during the birth process can affect the baby long-term, affecting the entire family as well.
If your child suffered an injury during birth, it may have occurred as the result of deficient medical care or some type of medical negligence. It is your doctor’s responsibility to ensure you receive every type of necessary intervention and support if there are signs of a potential problem that could affect your baby. It may be helpful for your family to know how these types of injuries happen and what you can do to get the help your baby deserves.
Signs of a problem
Several indications could point to the fact that your baby experienced a birth injury. Those include:
- Bleeding under the skull as revealed by scans
- Swelling of the head
- Bruising on the head or elsewhere on the body
- Signs of damage to the nerves in the face
- Signs of damage to nerves in the arms or shoulders
- Decreased movement and respiration (breathing)
- Abnormal blood acid levels
If you think something is wrong, you have the right to speak up and request assistance for your child.
Reasons for a problem
Various factors can contribute to a birth-related injury. Some of the most common causes include:
- Use of forceps during delivery
- Use of vacuum extraction during delivery
- A large baby
- A premature birth
- A C-section delivery
- An abnormal fetal heartbeat during labor
You do not have to suffer in silence while watching your baby suffer from birth injuries. It may be in your interest to seek an understanding of the legal options available to you, one of which may include a civil claim. If there is evidence of medical malpractice, you could have grounds to move forward with a lawsuit in order to seek justice and rightful compensation for your family and on behalf of your baby.