The miracle of childbirth can sometimes take an unexpected turn. While most babies enter the world healthy and strong, a surprising number face challenges right from the start.
Every year in the United States, hundreds of thousands of newborns experience some form of birth injury. A birth injury isn’t just a challenge for the child; it’s a family crisis. The consequences of a birth injury can be far-reaching and devastating.
In some cases, these birth injuries may not be due to natural complications, but rather the result of medical negligence. If a doctor or healthcare provider’s actions or inactions caused the injury, you might need a birth injury lawyer.
If you recently had a baby who suffered a birth injury, it’s recommended that you fully understand what’s in store for you. In light of that, here are some consequences of a birth injury:
Here are some of the consequences of a birth injury on the baby:
Cognitive Delays
If your child suffers a birth injury that affects their mental capacity, they are very likely to experience cognitive delay at some point. Learning to crawl, babble, and explore the world around them, all of these are exciting milestones for most babies. However, a birth injury might affect the way your baby processes information and learns.
This can manifest in different ways, depending on the severity of the injury. It might take them longer to reach developmental milestones like talking or feeding themselves. Learning new skills may be slower, and they might also need extra support at school.
Your child might learn best in a specific way, which requires a different approach from what is taught in schools today. Providing them with visual aids, hands-on activities, or smaller, more manageable learning steps can greatly improve their chances of catching up to speed.
Physical Disabilities
A birth injury can affect your baby’s muscles, bones, or nerves. This would limit their physical abilities. The severity of physical disabilities can vary greatly. It could range from minor weakness in a limb to difficulty with movement, balance, or coordination.
Some babies might even require wheelchairs, braces, or other assistive devices to move around. This is not to say they can’t lead active lives despite their condition. With proper physical therapy and support, they will be able to overcome the majority of their limitations.
Chronic Illness
Depending on the nature of the birth injury, your child might require ongoing medical care from specialists, such as neurologists, orthopedists, or respiratory therapists.
Managing chronic health conditions typically requires an extensive amount of medications, therapies, or special equipment like feeding tubes or breathing monitors. The weight of these illnesses can overwhelm the child and even take their life.
Emotional and Psychological Damage
As your child grows older, they will begin to notice the difference between them and their peers. There’s nothing more frustrating for these little angels than being unable to pull stunts like their friends simply because mummy says no (and of course, you have to say no to keep them safe and healthy).
All of these can lead to feelings of frustration, isolation, or low self-esteem. As the parent, you have to ensure that the child gets the best form of emotional support. Master the art of communication for their sake. Gently explain their situation, and if necessary, teach them to embrace it.
Conclusion
The baby is the primary victim of a birth injury. These little angels do not deserve to suffer the far-reaching consequences of a birth injury for no fault of theirs. So long as the statute of limitations is still valid, you can file a claim against the responsible party. The settlement from the lawsuit can help you provide a better living condition for your baby.
