Cervical Spine Injuries As A Result Of Child Birth

Childbirth is a time of great joy and much pain, as any mother can tell you. And although modern technology has made great strides in reducing the inherent risk, it is still a time when the newborn baby is exposed to the possibility of injury. Knowing what to expect in such cases and especially how to treat the new baby can bring peace to an otherwise very scary situation for new parents.

Cranial Nerve Injury

The most common of these is a facial nerve injury. Often the only way to tell that an infant has experienced this is by looking at his face during crying. Half of it will exhibit symptoms of muscle tension, while the other half will be drooping or non-expressive. Although it sounds serious, treatment is not generally necessary; most facial nerve injuries resolve themselves by 2-3 months.

Causes of cranial nerve injuries may range from stresses and pressures experienced in the womb or during labor to improper use of forceps during delivery.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Cervical spine injuries impacting the spinal cord are far more serious. Generally these are babies that are stillborn or unable to breathe without the assistance of a respirator, and if they survive will have severe health issues stemming from the associated problems with an SCI (Spinal Cord Injury).

For spinal cord injuries in childbirth, the key is prevention through proper pre-natal care; correct medical management of delivery whether vaginal, instrumental, or Caeserean; and careful monitoring of any painkillers or medicines given during childbirth.

Forceps in Delivery

The use of forceps versus a Caesaerean birth is a topic that is under considerable debate in the medical community at present. Some doctors consider this to be a barbaric practice left over from the Dark Ages, while others consider to be a valuable tool in saving the lives of infants and even mothers who would otherwise be lost. The practice is somewhat more common in the United Kingdom than in the United States, where most hospitals have specific policies against it.

Improper use of forceps can also be a contributing factor in a cervical spine injury. If you want to eliminate the possibility that your doctor might use forceps in delivery, be sure to discuss it with him/her well before you go into labor.

Finding Legal Help

For legal advice a cervical spine injury that may have been sustained during childbirth, an experienced attorney should always be consulted.

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