Birth Injuries

If your baby fails to meet developmental milestones, discuss your concerns with a pediatrician and obtain the proper medical referrals. Then think back to the delivery process, was there anything that left you feeling concerned? What are the symptoms of birth injuries? Learn why some that come with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or shoulder dystocia are not…

When you’re pregnant or expecting a child with your partner, one of the things you’ll learn about is the APGAR score. an APGAR score is given to newborns to identify their overall health. An APGAR score is important, because it identifies the baby’s appearance, pulse, grimace, activity and respiration following birth (APGAR). Using this test,…

Each baby develops at his or her own pace, but some motor delays may indicate a more serious condition. If your baby or toddler is failing to meet developmental milestones, discuss your concerns with a pediatrician. Because babies and young toddlers cannot tell us what is wrong, it may take a referral to a pediatric…

The hours from onset of labor to delivery of your baby are critical. A birth plan along with birthing classes are ways to prepare, but it can be hard to know exactly what is happening. For instance, Pitocin, a medication used to stimulate and augment labor, can cause too much cord or head compression. Are…

The umbilical cord is a literal lifeline that connects the fetus to the placenta, providing the growing baby with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to stay alive. The cord plays this essential role through pregnancy, labor, and delivery—and once the baby is delivered and able to breathe on its own, the umbilical cord is…

Does any parent have a greater nightmare than being unfairly accused of harming his or her own child? Unfortunately, this nightmare scenario is a reality for some parents of children who have suffered a ruptured blood vessel in their skull during a traumatic or difficult birth. Known as cephalohematoma, this condition affects 1 in 50…

For many years, it was common practice for obstetricians and midwives to clamp and cut the umbilical cord immediately after a baby’s birth. Based on results of research regarding the benefits of delayed cord clamping, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now recommends that clamping of the cord be delayed at least one…

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a catastrophic medical condition that occurs during childbirth. It happens when the brain and other organs suffer damage due to a lack of blood or oxygen. It is a common enough condition that birth doctors should anticipate it and take the necessary steps to prevent it. Hypoxia refers to the…

After four years, justice has been served for Ohio couple Nicole Welker and her partner, Justin Brinkley. The couple gave birth to a son in 2012, but complications during the labor left baby Justinian with “cerebral palsy and catastrophic disabilities” according to the lawsuit. After spending two years contending with the realities of Justinian’s care,…

Expecting mothers have a lot on their plates, so they rely on their OB/GYN, midwives and nurses to help keep them safe from risks. One of those risks is uterine rupture, which occurs when the walls of the uterus tear. It usually occurs at the incision site of a previous C-section, so mothers who wish…