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Unfortunately, unborn babies can be so vulnerable that proper management of labor, delivery, postpartum, and the early neonatal period is essential. Even simple oversights can result in injury to the mother and baby. Common birth injuries can be caused by trauma and lack of oxygen to the baby. Conditions resulting from birth injury may include permanent brain injuries like cerebral palsy, and nerve damage which may permanently affect the functioning of arms and legs. The law office of Martha Merrill-Hall provides resources and individualized attention to ensure that the legal rights of mothers and babies are protected.

» Hypoxic/ischemic brain damage resulting in cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is a permanent neurological disorder that is often caused by lack of oxygen or blood flow to the baby’s brain during labor and delivery. Abnormalities in the fetal heart tracing of the baby may indicate whether the baby suffered a lack of oxygen during the birth process.

Obstetrical complications commonly associated with the development of cerebral palsy in an infant are:

persistent and untreated fetal heart rate abnormalities
umbilical cord prolapse
placental abruption
ruptured uterus
infection
negligent management of labor induction
failure to diagnose or properly treat certain medical conditions in the mother e.g. gestational diabetes, pre-ecclampsia/toxemia, high blood pressure.

» Brachial Plexus Injury
During difficult deliveries, when a baby is large or there is difficulty delivering the baby’s shoulders, the group of nerves supplying the arms and hands may be stretched or torn if excessive traction is applied by the doctor or midwife. Fortunately, brachial plexus injury is often temporary. However, permanent injury may result which will affect a baby’s functioning for the rest of his life.

» Fractures
Fractures, especially of the clavicle or collarbone, are common occurrences during labor and delivery. This may occur when there is a problem delivering the baby’s shoulder or during a breech delivery.

Many injuries are not, by themselves, associated with negligence, however, if several occur at once in a baby, and this leads to permanent damage, this could indicate negligent care and should be investigated.

» Caput Succedaneum
As the baby travels through the birth canal, a severe swelling of the soft tissues of the baby's scalp can occur as well as bruising in the area. Vacuum extraction makes this condition more likely to occur.

» Cephalohematoma
An area of bleeding between the bone and its fibrous covering often appears several hours after birth as a raised lump on the baby's head. Depending on the size and area of the bleeding, a baby may develop jaundice as the red blood cells break down.

» Bruising/Forceps Marks
The trauma of passing though the birth canal or contact with the mother's pelvic bones can cause some signs of bruising on the face or head of a baby. Other marks might be the result of the forceps used during delivery. Vacuum extraction may cause scalp bruising or a scalp lacerations.

» Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
The breakage of small blood vessels in the eyes of a baby in one or both of the eyes may have a bright red band around the iris.

» Facial Paralysis
The facial nerve is injured during labor or birth because of pressure on a baby's face or because of the use of forceps during delivery. The injury is often seen when the baby cries. The damage is visible when the baby cries with the lack of movement on the injured side of the face. This condition if ongoing may require surgery.