The first feeling you have when preparing for the birth of your child is probably elation. You have gathered the clothes, set up the nursery, and established the diaper-changing station. You also bought plenty of toys to enrich and entertain your new addition. This is a time that should give you great happiness rather than a heavy burden to bear. Unfortunately, a birth injury can spoil this time meant for celebration.
Most people never ask their doctor about birth injury risk factors. But, believe it or not, you can drastically lower the risks of such conditions by how you approach and manage your child’s birth. At the same time, you should educate yourself about medical malpractice. Doing so is the best preventative measure against such an injury occurring. So, what risk factors do you need to be aware of?
There are two different risks at play here: Either the baby is too big or the mother is too small. What does that mean? Well, if a baby has grown too large this can lead to dangerous complications in which a birth disorder has a higher likelihood of occurring. This type of issue occurs whenever the child weighs more than 8 pounds and 13 ounces. Another possible situation involves an issue with the size and shape of the mother’s pelvis and it’s relationship with the baby’s head. This is called cephalopelvic disproportion, or CPD for short. CPD happens whenever the mother’s pelvis is not the appropriate shape or size for a safe vaginal delivery. This condition is dangerous for the mother-to-be, but the risk also extends to the baby. However, you can still give birth through a cesarean section. This ensures that you deliver the baby in as safe a way as possible, and decrease the risk of injury to your child.
In some cases, the baby will rest in a position that makes it difficult to deliver. A week before you give birth, doctors will normally tell you the position of the child. If the child is in breech or in a face-first presentation this can put the mother at risk. These conditions are medically classified as abnormal positions, and as a result, there is a risk that the child could get stuck or experience complications.
Cerebral palsy is one of the serious birth injury risk factors that can arise. This injury comes with a need for a lifetime of assistance. You should seek financial help if your child has suffered this injury. The financial demands for an injury like this can easily skyrocket if you don’t take action. There are government grants and financial aid available, but this won’t always cover the associated medical costs. Speak with a professional immediately that can help you figure out how to proceed.