It’s a sad reality, but there are many different types of birth injuries
that can occur during pregnancy and labor. Consequently, many babies suffer
from a wide range of symptoms from minor to severe. While not all birth
injuries require treatment—some conditions just need monitoring—many
birth injuries will need some type of treatment in order for the baby
to make the best possible recovery and be able to live a relatively normal life.
Common Types of Treatment
The severity of the birth injury will determine which type of treatment
is needed. Because there are many treatments available, we have put together
a list of common treatment methods used in birth injury cases. For most
babies born with birth injuries, treatments typically fall into one of
the following three categories:
- Therapy. Many babies born with birth injuries need physical therapy and occupational
therapy to help them make the best recoveries. Infants born with shoulder
dystocia, a brachial plexus injury, or brain damage usually benefit from
physical therapy. Even infants born with cerebral palsy work with physical
therapists to strengthen muscles. Physical therapy can help injured children
learn how to walk, stand, and sit down through exercises that promote
flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination. Occupational therapy
helps injured children with doing daily tasks such as eating and swallowing,
grooming, getting dressed and using the toilet. Occupational therapists
do this through a series of exercises, neuro-musculoskeletal activities,
and other types of therapy treatment. Sometimes, therapy can help injured
infants make complete recoveries; however, if a birth injury is severe,
lifelong assistance and therapy treatments may be the result. - Medication. When a baby has a seizure after birth due to a birth injury, a baby will
need to be treated with anti-seizure medication to control spastic movements.
If a baby suffers brain damage during labor and delivery, medications
will be given to the baby intravenously to help reduce the fluids and
swelling in the brain. If a birth injury such as a brain injury affects
a baby as she grows, the baby may need medications to treat the side effects
of brain damage or other types of injuries. - Surgery. With severe birth injuries, surgery may be the most effective treatment
option in order to correct a physical deformity or stop the bleeding in
the brain. For example, an infant who suffered a birth-related head trauma
(e.g., a skull fracture, broken blood vessels, large blood clots, etc.)
may need a craniotomy, which is a surgery that removes a bone flap to
allow doctors access to the brain. In severe cases, a decompressive craniotomy
is performed, where a large hole is cut in the skull which allows the
brain to breathe and reduces swelling. Sadly, surgery may not work in
every case and injured children may have to live with lifelong disabilities
and deformities.
No matter what type of treatment your child needs, it is sure to be expensive.
Because birth injuries that need to be treated are a serious matter, the
doctors and medical professionals who caused your son or daughter to suffer
a birth injury need to be held accountable, which in turn will help you
pay for the necessary treatments.
We would be honored to help you hold the wrongdoers responsible for the
harm that your child and family had to endure. Even if you aren’t
sure you would like to pursue a legal claim, it is in your best interest
to seek legal counsel following any type of birth injury. Please take
advantage of our free consultation and get your questions answered either
by calling us at 703-634-7350 or requesting a copy of our book,
Do I Have a Case? A Patient’s Guide to Virginia Medical Negligence Law.