Bringing a new life into this world is far from easy, and that’s true even when everything goes right. When things go wrong, it’s not just your baby’s life at stake – it’s yours, too. Difficult births still, to this day, result in both mother and infant fatalities, and that’s not the only consequence.
Living with a birth injury can be very difficult, but with the right tools and support, your baby can lead a much better life overall. If they’ve been injured, then it’s key you start preparing from day one by using this guide.
4 Things to Do if Your Baby Suffered a Birth Injury During their Birth
What is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury, in short, refers to any type of injury sustained by a baby during the birthing process. The injuries in question can be mild and easily fixed, to severe, and last a lifetime. Birth injuries can also occur for a variety of reasons, including malpractice. Your baby may suffer a bone fracture during delivery, for example, or they may experience oxygen deprivation, which can lead to brain damage.
Other examples of birth injuries include nerve damage, facial paralysis, and cerebral palsy. In some cases, these injuries may be caused by medical malpractice, such as a failure to perform a timely C-section or improper use of delivery instruments. While not every birth injury is life-threatening, those that are can be absolutely distressing – particularly when you suspect it was because of an error on the hospital’s end.
Contact Legal Aid Immediately
Once you and your baby are stable, you’ll want to get in touch with legal representation such as one of these Detroit injury lawyers, or a similar legal expert in your area, as soon as possible. Going through with a birth injury is incredibly traumatic for both you and your baby, but worse is living with the aftermath without support.
Suing for labor and birth injuries is of the most effective ways to get justice and the financial compensation you need.
Need, because the cost to give your child the best life will have risen drastically in light of their birth injury. With monetary compensation, you can better afford those costs and give your baby the best possible future, even with what happened.
Get in Touch with Outside Medical Professionals for a Full Diagnostics
When you’re dealing with a birth injury, know that getting a full diagnosis and care treatment should be your next step. You also don’t want to do this in the same hospital since there could very well be a conflict of interest. Going to another medical provider for the care you and your baby need can help you get a clear understanding of what happened. Their findings can also go towards your legal case if you’re pursuing one.
Get the Necessary Tools to Help Your Baby Thrive
Depending on the nature of your baby’s injury, you may need to get special equipment and tools to help them thrive. For example, if your baby has cerebral palsy, there are several assistive devices they’ll need. As they get older, for example, a self-driving wheelchair is a must. Your medical team can help you determine what kind of equipment your child will need and how to obtain it. Remember to prepare for the future because it’s going to come sooner than you expect.
Work with Experts to Give Your Child Their Best Chance at a Normal Life
If your baby was injured during their birth, it’s important to work with experts to give them the best chance at a normal life. This may include working with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists to help your child develop their skills and abilities.
You may also want to consider working with a developmental specialist who can help you create a plan for your child’s care and development. Once again, financial compensation can help ensure your baby gets the best possible treatments to give them the best shot at life.
You’ll also want to look into support groups, specialist schools, and the like. Your child (and you) needs community, so finding it and other safe spaces is a must for your child and for yourself.
