HEALTH
The Impact of Birth Injuries on Your Child’s Development

Parents spend months looking forward to the birth of their child. When this birth does not go as planned, they are distraught. They wonder where to turn for help in dealing with the birth trauma, which affects both the mom and the child.
In many cases, the focus turns to the mother’s recovery. Parents don’t immediately realize the traumatic effects of the birth on the baby. How can a family know when to call a birth injury attorney for help?
Understanding Birth Trauma
Physical injuries that happened during or after birth are what many people refer to as birth trauma. However, the psychological stress that comes with this event can also be considered trauma. An infant may encounter difficulties during childbirth, including blood clots or oxygen deprivation. These injuries may be the result of prolonged labor, premature birth, or an emergency c-section.
Parents don’t realize the trauma may psychologically impact their child. The effects of this trauma may not be fully seen until the child is older. Understanding birth trauma and what it entails will help parents identify the signs that their child has been traumatized so help can be sought.
Birth Trauma Types
Birth trauma comes in two types. The use of birthing tools often causes physical trauma. Oxygen deprivation and other complications may lead to physical trauma, or it may be the result of prolonged labor. The child could have a brain injury, nerve damage, or fractures.
Psychological trauma is something parents must also worry about. Babies experience stress during a traumatic birth, and the stress can affect their emotional and psychological development. As they grow, they may struggle with emotional instability or be unable to bond with their parents. Some babies even suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Effects of Birth Trauma
Bruises and broken bones are physical signs of birth trauma. Severe brain damage is often noticed immediately. The baby may have injuries to the nerves, bones, or head that are immediately apparent. Immediate medical intervention will be needed to address these issues and help the child function to the highest ability. However, the psychological effects of birth trauma may not show up for months or years.
Birth trauma can lead to distress, sleeping difficulties, and feeding issues. The child’s emotional stability may be impacted, and the child may be unable to form secure attachments. Parents might not realize there is an issue until their child does not hit significant milestones.
A child who suffers birth trauma could have developmental delays. They may not speak when their peers do, their cognitive abilities might lag, or they may struggle to build motor skills. When the child struggles, the parents wonder about the underlying cause. They worry about their child’s overall brain development and what additional problems the child may have that have yet to become apparent. Moms and dads need to consider birth trauma and its long-term cognitive repercussions to see if this trauma played a role in their child’s issues.
What many parents don’t realize is birth trauma can also have an impact on the child’s emotions and behavior. The child may experience mood swings, be overly sensitive to the environment, or struggle to bond with others. The parent wonders why their child is frequently anxious, irritable, or has trouble regulating emotions. These problems may be the result of birth trauma that happened years ago.
Parents must recognize the signs of birth trauma and take immediate action if they suspect this is the underlying cause of issues their child is experiencing. Early intervention leads to the best outcomes, and the child may need to see multiple professionals to obtain the highest quality of life. Parents should create a nurturing environment where the child can get the help they need, so they can live life to the fullest.

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