6 Common Injuries You Need to Be Aware of During Birth

The birth of a child is a wonderful event. However, there can be complications in which the mother and/or baby is injured. For the most part, injury during birth happens infrequently, but it is worth noting there can be difficulties when giving birth. Many injuries are orthopaedic in nature, but there are other types of damages.

Here are 6 common injuries you need to be aware of during childbirth.

Growth Plate Injuries

The growth plate can be injured during birth, but not show up on an x-ray until it begins to heal. The cartilage around the bones is softer and prone to fracture or breakage when the baby is born.

These injuries are noted by swelling at one end of the leg or arm. The treatment is a simple protection of the area until fully healed. This may not require a wrap, just more careful attention when handling the baby.

Collarbone Fractures

The collarbone or clavicle, which is the bone that connects the shoulder to the chest, is the most common injury sustained during childbirth. It is a result of twisting the baby out of the birth canal in an effort to hurry the birth.

The symptoms are a slight deformity and pain over the broken sight. The treatment is to strap the arm to the chest for no more than two weeks as baby’s bones heal rather rapidly.

Thigh Bone Injury

The thigh bone or femur can be broken or fractured as the baby comes out of his or her mother. The leg is twisted uneasily as the rest of the body slides out.

This injury will heal over a short period of time. However, surgery may be needed to fix the issue if the baby is still in pain after three or four months. To know more, seek help from orthopaedic doctors.

Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s Palsy or brachial plexus injury is not as common as some of the other injuries, but it does happen. A brachial plexus is a group of nerves located under the collarbone and when it is stretched during birth can cause Erb’s Palsy. This is when the arm is pulled one direction and the head is pulled in a different way.

This injury will heal over a short period of time, however, if the baby is still in pain after three or four months, surgery may be needed to fix the issue.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

This happens frequently and affects the baby’s eyes. It is a reddening of one or both eyes and the severity is determined by the number of blood vessels within each eye.

There is no treatment needed and the eyes should clear up within a week or two of birth.

Caput Succedaneum

This is severe swelling in the baby’s scalp caused by the head pushing up against the cervix for an extended period of time.

This is also more common than some of the other injuries but does not require any treatment. An ultrasound may be needed to rule out anything more serious, but the swelling should go away within a week or so.

Most injuries during childbirth are preventable, but they do happen. It is important to remain informed and take action if your baby is injured during birth.