What To Do If Your Baby Shows Symptoms of Common Birth Injuries

What is the most common type of birth injury?

The most prevalent birth injury is when the brachial plexus nerves get damaged. These nerves control sensation and movement in the arms, and can get injured easily if the baby is coming out of the mother’s birth canal and is pulled with too much force. It is more common in cases where the baby was in a breech position or had a high birth weight.

The symptoms for a brachial plexus injury entail paralysis in one arm. If your baby is moving one arm much more than the other, then it may be a sign of damage to the brachial plexus nerves, or Erb’s Palsy. Other symptoms may include:

• One arm being held against the side of the body in an awkward position
• Lack of Moro reflex 
• Weaker grip in one hand versus the other

I have heard of cerebral palsy, but how do I know if my baby has it?

Cerebral palsy is another type of common birth injury, that is usually caused due to a lack of oxygen during delivery. The symptoms can vary depending on how severe the case is, ranging from mild to debilitating. Some symptoms may be noticeable after the child is born, whereas others may take more time to develop as the child ages. If your baby has any of the following symptoms, then it’s time to meet with a doctor other than the one who performed your delivery right away:

• Head flopping from one side to another
• Seizures
• Developmental disabilities
• Writhing
• Jerky, uncontrollable movements
• Difficulty with balance
• Challenges with fine motor skills
• Poor coordination
• Vision problems
• Odd stiffness or “floppiness” when holding the baby
• Legs that tense and cross over each other or make “scissor” movements

I think something is wrong with my baby, what should I do?

Maybe you just have a weird feeling that something is wrong with your baby. It’s better to get a second opinion from another doctor (not the one who did your delivery), so your child can get an early diagnosis and treatment plan. It is important that you consider speaking with a birth injury attorney in Phoenix, AZ during this time as well, to find out if you may be entitled to financial compensation for the birth injury. 

Thanks to Rispoli Law, PLLC for their insight into personal injury claims and what to do if your baby shows symptoms of a birth injury.