Birth injury help: What to do after a birth injury

What are the effects of birth trauma?

Birth trauma encompasses physical and psychological injuries sustained during childbirth, ranging from physical injuries like tears or fractures to stillbirths. Birth trauma can affect both mothers and babies, leading to physical injuries and emotional distress. When you experience a birth trauma this can have very damaging effects on you and your family. Such a traumatic and upsetting experience can cause long-lasting or serious injuries and impact your whole life.

For mum:

During birth trauma, mothers can suffer various injuries, including perineal tears, pelvic floor dysfunction, uterine rupture, and postpartum haemorrhage. Mothers may also have difficulties feeding babies or bonding with babies whilst coping with their mental health.

For baby:

Babies may suffer from conditions like cerebral palsy or Brachial Plexus (Erb's Palsy), impacting their motor skills and development. There are also effects a birth trauma can have on your baby even if they don't suffer a physical injury. For Example, feeding problems and having difficulties bonding.

How do you treat birth injuries?

Birth injury treatment will depend on the type of birth injury sustained by the mother or child. For example, treatment could be:

• hypothermic therapy or treatment where babies are born with brain damage
• surgery
• repairing damaged nerves
• lifelong medication 
• lifelong assistive care
• physical therapy 
• occupational therapy such as for getting on the school bus
• educational therapy
• cognitive behavioural therapy
• alternative techniques such as acupuncture and acupressure

How are birth injuries caused?

Many factors can cause birth injuries although many of these are preventable. When medical practitioners caring for the mother and child do not meet the required care standards and fail to prevent such an injury, this is known as medical negligence. For example, the medical staff may:

• fail to act in good time when a dangerous situation arises
• fail to diagnose health issues in the mother or baby
• not properly monitor the baby after birth
• fail to monitor the mother after childbirth
• misuse birthing tools
• use too much force during childbirth

Some other causes of birth injuries are:

• delayed labour lasting over 18 hours
• oxygen deprivation in the baby
• particular medications
• viral infections
• bacterial infections in the mother or the child
• brain damage in the child which can lead to, for example, cerebral palsy
• bleeding in the baby's brain

There are also risk issues which can cause birth injuries such as:

• difficult labour or delivery
• heavy babies so those over 8 pounds and 13 ounces
• babies born before 37 weeks
• abnormal foetal position

What to do after a birth injury

After a birth injury, it's crucial to seek treatment and support from healthcare professionals, support groups, or organisations specialising in birth trauma. Charities can also provide valuable resources and assistance for parents navigating through this challenging time.

What support can I get after a birth injury?

When you experience a birth injury, it is important to get the right support. There are many different charities and associations which you can reach out to including a few listed below:

• The Lullaby Trust
• Bliss
• Miscarriage Association
• The Birth Trauma Association

How could compensation help?

If a birth injury occurs due to medical negligence, compensation may be pursued to cover medical expenses, ongoing care, and loss of income. Not only could this cover your losses, but the money could also go towards essential treatments or home adaptations that may be required depending on the injury. Legal assistance can also help ensure accountability and justice for the trauma you suffered.

Going through a birth injury claim can be overwhelming, but with the right support and resources, parents can take steps towards healing and recovery for both themselves and their baby. Remember, you're not alone; help is available to guide you through this process.