What Are the Common Types of Birth Injuries in Virginia?

• Brachial Plexus Injuries: The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that sends signals from the spinal cord to the shoulders, hands, and arms. Brachial plexus injuries happen when those nerves are stretched, compressed, or ripped apart from the spinal cord. The damage to the brachial plexus can cause Erb’s Palsy or Klumpke’s Palsy.
• Cerebral Palsy: Cerebral Palsy (or CP) is a condition that affects movement and muscle tone. Symptoms of CP can differ depending on which part of the baby’s brain is affected. The University of Virginia Children’s Hospital outlines the different types of CP: hemiplegia (CP affecting one side of the body), diplegia (CP affecting the upper and lower body), and quadriplegia (CP affecting the upper and lower body on both sides). When a doctor uses excessive force to deliver a baby and a child suffers head trauma, or an obstetrician fails to perform a cesarean section in time and the baby suffers a lack of oxygen, cerebral palsy may be the result.
• Erb’s Palsy: The baby cannot flex its arms if the brachial plexus is damaged. Although Erb’s palsy is usually temporary, a torn nerve could make the injury permanent.
• Bell’s Palsy: Bell’s Palsy is weakness and drooping on one side of the face. This condition can occur if the baby’s facial nerves are damaged during childbirth.
• Facial Paralysis: Facial paralysis can occur due to excessive pressure on the baby’s face during birth, often caused by forceps or other delivery instruments.
• Spinal Cord Damage: If the doctor incorrectly rotates, pulls, or overstretches the infant during delivery, this can cause injuries to the spinal cord, resulting in permanent medical issues. If the mother is having trouble pushing the baby out through the birth canal, doctors may use a vacuum extractor to help pull the baby out.
• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: HIE is also commonly known as birth asphyxia or neonatal encephalopathy, though they are slightly different. HIE is when the baby is deprived of oxygen. It results in brain damage and developmental problems.

Other Injuries

• Oxygen deprivation, which can cause brain injuries such as cerebral palsy and seizures
• Muscle injuries, which can cause numbness or paralysis of the limbs
• Injuries sustained during the delivery, often from medical implements used to assist with the birth
• Medication errors involving the mother or child
• Failure to respond to maternal or fetal bleeding
• Ordering a cesarean section (C-section) when not medically necessary
• Failing to provide specific medical care promptly
• Failing to treat maternal infections and health conditions during pregnancy, such as meningitis or gestational diabetes
• Failing to anticipate birth complications before they happen