Birth Injuries

Imagine having to take your baby through surgery to correct a serious injury that can affect their arms. Imagine losing the feeling in your arm after suffering from a motorcycle accident. This is the reality for victims of a brachial plexus injury. These injuries can leave a person’s arms paralyzed. The consequences are even more…

A new revolution in technology could drastically change the way genetic tests are done. Just this summer, the New York Times reported that a new genetic test went through a small trial after ten years of development to detect genetic birth defects in embryos, fetuses, and tissue obtained after miscarriage. This type of test is…

The recent COVID pandemic has created an abundance of new statistics and facts that scientists and medical professionals have been scrambling to collect and analyze. One of these startling new statistics has to do with pregnant mothers who catch the COVID virus, and the effect the illness has on their unborn child and themselves. While…

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a series of disorders that affect mobility, muscle tone, and posture. CP is often caused by medical malpractice during the birth of a newborn. Children with CP generally have difficulty walking and coordination difficulties. They may have difficulty swallowing and speaking. Some children with CP have cognitive disabilities in addition to…

Of all the types of birth injuries a baby could sustain, the most common is a head injury. Head and brain injuries can be caused by trauma or oxygen deprivation, and they can have life-long repercussions for your child and your family. Medical providers like OB/GYNs or certified midwives should anticipate the many types of…

Bringing a child into the world is supposed to be one of the greatest experiences of your life. It has been a long nine months and you are ready to welcome your child into the world. The last thing on your mind is that something will go awry in the delivery room and that you…

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) refers to the group of symptoms suffered by an infant who has been exposed to opioids inside the womb and essentially suffers withdrawal. Contrary to belief, a birth mother only need be prescribed opioids for NAS to occur. Addiction is not necessary in order for the baby to experience the effects.…

The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is concerned that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen may pose a danger to women who are 20 weeks or more into their pregnancy. The concern is that the NSAIDs may cause their unborn child to develop kidney problems which can result in low amounts…

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common breathing disorder birth injury. Prenatal doctors and birth doctors need to monitor parents and newborns for this condition. Failure to properly diagnose and treat RDS may constitute medical malpractice. Prenatal doctors should work to try to prevent premature births through prenatal care and monitoring. RDS often occurs in…

Having a baby is one of the sweet joys of life. To help ensure that the delivery goes well and that the child is healthy, it helps for the mother to have the best medical care possible. That means getting regular checkups with physicians and having the baby delivered by experienced health providers who are…

Every year, thousands of children throughout the United States are born with injuries as a result of trauma or negligence during the delivery process. Many birth injuries can be remedied through certain treatments or with surgery. However, many children suffer long-lasting damage to their bodies, including lifelong disabilities that occurred around the time of birth.…

You really need to know about birth injury law in Tennessee. The most catastrophic cases are generally CP, cerebral palsy cases and here’s what you need to know. Tennessee has the shortest statute of limitations of any state in the country. It’s three years – three years from the date of birth. It’s very important…

The birth of a baby is supposed to be an exciting and enjoyable time, but parents-to-be are often met with panic when they find out that there are injuries to the umbilical cord that is attached to their little one. Unfortunately, umbilical cord injuries can have lifelong effects, and failure to detect and treat a…

The condition of epilepsy in children, which is characterized by unpredictable, recurring seizures, can occur due to a number of different causes. For instance, brain damage resulting from trauma at birth, including lack of oxygen to the brain or a severe brain infection can lead to the onset of epilepsy. According to Paul Carney, pediatric…

The first steps of a baby are often a wonder-filled moment and the start of the little one’s journey toward walking independently. Children usually take their first steps around their first birthday as they transition from an infant into a curious, busy, and active toddler. Newborn infants possess an innate stepping reflex. This is proven…

When a mother is Rh negative and her baby is Rh positive, this is called Rh incompatibility. Blood that is Rh positive possesses an Rh factor, which refers to a specific type of antigen. Your Rh factor doesn’t affect your health overall. However, it does have an impact on the mother and baby during pregnancy.…

The BBC reported in September 2018 that University College London has created a new medical device that can literally shine light into the diagnosis of newborn’s oxygen and energy levels. The device, called a broadband near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), may help physicians assess whether the newborn has brain damage earlier than usual. A clinical study is…

A recent article in USA TODAY highlighted some dangerous truths about giving birth in the United States. Writer Alison Young researched four years for her article “Hospitals know how to protect mothers. They just aren’t doing it.” Her article shared the news that the U.S. is currently the most dangerous place in the developed world…

As the temperature warms, residents of Tennessee love to walk in wooded trails, parks, and places with lots of green grass. Unfortunately, these areas are attractive to ticks that carry Lyme disease. According to the March of Dimes, Lyme disease can cause death and catastrophic injuries. People with Lyme disease can develop brain damage, nerve…

The brachial plexus is a network of nerve fibers that extend from the spine into the neck and arms. Newborns can suffer injury to any of these nerve fibers in varying degrees of severity. Injury can occur during the delivery if the birth doctors use excessive force or cause unnecessary stretching to deliver the child.…

Birth injuries can devastate newborns and families. Most families want nothing more than 10 fingers, 10 toes, and a healthy baby, so when something goes wrong, it turns your whole worldview upside down. You probably have a lot of questions for the doctors and yourself: What kind of care will your child need? What types…

After their baby’s head was injured during birth at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a new mom took her case to social media to warn others. Cecily Dantam posted photos of scratches and gouges on the top of her newborn’s head and said the baby also suffered hypothermia due to the actions of her nurse midwife…

When a newborn has a medical condition, it is not always clear whether it is because of a birth defect or a birth injury. Birth injuries happen during delivery or immediately following delivery. A birth injury can occur when there is a complication during labor and delivery. The complication can stem from an act of…

Childbirth is usually a normal process that results in a healthy baby and mother. There are times, however, when a Cesarean section is required to protect the health of the baby and the mother. Since every case is different, it can be challenging to know in every circumstance whether performing a C-section was required and…

Our facial expressions allow us to communicate with the rest of the word without saying a single word. We are able to smile when we are happy and frown when we are upset. But for some children, this ability is taken from them at birth, often due to the negligent actions of a doctor. Facial…