Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a medical condition resulting in motor function loss. It is caused by damage to the brain and is often brought on by negligent medical professionals. The brain is the most delicate organ in the human body, and even the slightest damage can have permanent results.
There are several types of cerebral palsy, such as athetoid cerebral palsy, spastic cerebral palsy, ataxic cerebral palsy, and mixed cerebral palsy. Each condition requires a child to have round-the-clock care for the rest of their lives.
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
Countless newborns every year suffer from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This condition is also commonly referred to as perinatal asphyxia, birth asphyxia, or neonatal encephalopathy and can be fatal. Newborns can asphyxiate when the brain and organs are deprived of oxygen. Oxygen deprivation is most prevalent in premature babies. However, if medical professionals act promptly and appropriately, HIE can be prevented and controlled.
Nuchal Cord
A nuchal cord is an umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck while he or she is still in the womb. If the cord is too tight, it can cut off the blood supply and/or oxygen to the baby. The nuchal cord can lead to cerebral palsy if the strips are not watched carefully by the provider, and delivery is effectuated quickly if evidence of hypoxia is evident.
Caput Succedaneum
Caput succedaneum is the swelling of a baby’s scalp. It is most commonly caused when pressure is placed on the baby’s head as the baby is delivered head-first. It can also happen in deliveries where a vacuum extractor is needed to deliver the baby. Some of the common signs of caput succedaneum include:
- Bruising on the baby’s scalp
- Increased molding of the bones in the baby’s head
- Puffy swelling on the baby’s scalp, including swelling that extends to the baby’s scalp midline
- Hemorrhaging of the baby’s scalp
Every case is different, but when caput succedaneum occurs, it can often be diagnosed during a prenatal ultrasound. If the proper prenatal care is not provided to the mother by healthcare providers, the baby could be left with serious complications, including some that can lead to cerebral palsy and severe brain damage.
Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is a nerve condition in an infant’s shoulder or arm, typically resulting from a traumatic birth or birth injury. This injury can result in muscle weakness and loss of function. Per the Cleveland Clinic, “Erb’s palsy occurs in 0.9 to 2.6 per 1,000 live births or nearly 12,000 cases per year. It’s most common in larger infants who need to be pulled out during delivery because they’re stuck.”
Although many cases of Erb’s palsy resolve on their own, those that do not may leave an infant with permanent arm and shoulder problems.
Placental Abruption
A placental abruption is an extremely serious complication that occurs when the placenta either partially or completely detaches from the uterine wall. The Mayo Clinic reports placental abruption is more likely to happen during the third trimester and can happen suddenly or develop slowly. In either case, it is an emergency situation and, if left untreated, can endanger the lives of both mother and baby.
Breech Delivery Complications
In a normal delivery, the baby is born head first. But in a breech childbirth, the infant is born with either their feet or buttocks presenting first. Breech childbirth can cause severe birth injuries, including traumatic brain damage, spinal injuries, nerve damage, and fetal distress.
You should be able to trust that your healthcare provider is prepared and equipped to handle your labor and delivery — even if your baby is in the breech position. Mishandling of instruments, failure to diagnose, failure to treat, and other medical mistakes could all have prevented the complications of a breech birth had the healthcare providers in question upheld their medical duty of care.
