Could Your Baby’s Birth Injuries Have Been Prevented?

via Lisa Rosario, flickr.com

Hospitals serve a purpose for people who are gravely ill or injured. However, these medical facilities are being called into question more frequently, when one considers their role in modern childbirth. In fact, some studies show that since women have begun giving birth in hospitals, incidences of birth-related injuries to both mothers and babies have risen dramatically.

If your baby was hurt during child birth in a hospital, it is likely you’ve asked yourself if your child’s injuries could have been prevented. As stated by Bottar Leone, “While there are considerable risks involved in child birth, many bad outcomes can be minimized or eliminated.” Being aware of how common birth injuries occur and how they can be prevented can help a mother make better decisions surrounding her birthing experience.

Common Birth Injuries

One of the most common health problems caused by birth injuries today is cerebral palsy. This disability afflicts many newborns and is believed to occur when a baby is deprived of oxygen at birth, or when a baby is suctioned out of the birth canal during a vacuum extraction. Cerebral palsy has no cure and, babies afflicted with it grow up with debilitating seizures, muscle weakness, and a significant of lack of motor skills.

While not as debilitating as cerebral palsy, facial injuries can still affect a child’s ability to live a full and happy life. Babies who are pulled out of the birth canal with forceps sometimes suffer horrendous facial injuries due to lacerations, which can result in scars, as well as torn lips and eyes sockets. These injuries can require years of plastic surgery and often are never fully erased.

Spinal cord injuries are another common injury sometimes caused by the use of forceps. This type of injury can lead to developmental and neurological problems, limited mobility or even paralysis. Spinal injuries can sometimes correct themselves as a child develops, however this is not common and recovery is usually not 100%

Avoiding Injuries

While an obstacle free delivery is never a guarantee, a safe delivery should be a fair and reasonable expectation for all women during child birth. That being said, you can reduce the chances of injury by utilizing these following birthing aides.

Firstly, it’s crucial to trust your instinct and listening to your body’s cues. A mother’s instinct during the birthing process is strong, and you should never fight it. If your gut tells you that something isn’t right don’t hesitate to ask questions until you feel comfortable.

There are also external routines you can practice that will aid in a more easy delivery. For example an exercise ball can be great for helping you widen your pelvis to allow for your baby’s birth. Exercises on the ball can help your baby turn and move into the birth canal as well as help manage pain and assist you in finding a comfortable birthing position.

Another helpful birthing aid is breath work such as variable breathing. Variable breathing involves light accelerated breathing combined with short spurts of shallow, quick breaths. This method is thought to be cleansing for the mind and helpful in releasing anxiety.

You may also want to consider a home birth or delivering at a birthing center; two options that eliminate the stress and anxiety of the hospital environment. In both cases your delivery will be assisted by a trained midwife who is skilled in the art of natural birth. Today’s obstetricians are trained surgeons, and often view birth as a surgical rather than natural process. A midwife, rather than intervening in the natural process of giving birth, will guide and encourage you through. Midwives are also well equipped should a complication arise.

Giving birth should be a joyous occasion. You and your family should not have to worry about your baby suffering injuries due to the negligence or medical malpractice. The tips given above are just a few ways to make your delivery a little easier.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisarosariophotography/7490967888/