Warning Signs of a Birth Injury in the First Weeks of Life

Parents of a newborn are understandably anxious. Bringing that baby home from the hospital for the first time will mean making significant adjustments in schedules and routines. In other words, the baby will now be that couple’s entire focus, as it should.

It is recommended that parents bring their baby to a pediatrician within 3 to 5 days after birth. That should follow up with visits at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, and beyond based on their doctor’s recommendation. These first weeks of life are also important for parents to observe any warning signs of a birth injury.

Although you don’t want to imagine something like that can happen, it’s vital for parents to understand the warning signs of these types of injuries. If a birth injury is detected, early intervention is vital to develop an effective treatment plan.

It’s also important to speak with a Chicago birth injury lawyer to determine whether these injuries rise to the level of an actionable cause.

The following questions can provide parents with an overview of the warning signs of a birth injury in the first weeks of a newborn’s life.

Does Your Baby Have Trouble Breathing?

A newborn can experience challenges with their breathing, either by breathing too fast, pausing for a long time in between breaths, or working too hard to breathe. There might have also been issues immediately after birth if the baby was put on oxygen support.

These struggles could be an indication of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. This occurs when the baby is under stress in the womb and inhales amniotic fluid. It can be considered a birth injury if there is fetal distress during the delivery and the birth team fails to properly monitor the distress.

Is the Baby Floppy and Lethargic?

If your newborn has low muscle tone or is not bending or flexing their arms and legs when they are upset, it could be an indication of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

This occurs when a baby suffers oxygen deprivation during labor. As a result, their brain may not be able to normally control muscle tone or reflexes. That can trigger limpness, poor alertness, or general weak movement.

Does the Baby Have a Weak Cry or No Cry?

New parents quickly become attuned to their baby’s cries to distinguish if the baby is hungry, needs changing, or is just being fussy.

If the baby doesn’t cry when they’re woken, it could be an indication of an intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or a brain bleed. When bleeding creates pressure inside the brain, it can lead to a faint cry, poor hunger cues, and difficulty waking. This can be a result of a traumatic birth injury, such as from a vacuum extraction.

Is Your Baby Exhibiting a Loss of Reflexes?

Your newborn should be able to grasp your finger or hand when you push into their palm.

If they don’t grasp, it could be a sign of a loss of reflexes. The delivery nurses should check for reflexes right after the birth, but those initial reflexes can diminish due to periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). This is considered a traumatic brain injury that can occur during delivery.

Are You Seeing Sudden Changes in Behavior?

A newborn can experience seizures that are difficult to spot. You can look out for the following symptoms:

• Jerking or twitching movements
• Leg kicking that resembles bicycling
• Mouth movements like chewing or odd positioning of the tongue
• Stiffening of their body
• Sudden changes in eye movements, such as rolling or staring off

Brain damage during delivery that manifests as any of the above symptoms could lead to cerebral palsy (CP).

Does Your Baby Exhibit Unusual Arm Movement?

If your baby moves one arm normally but has limited or absent movement in the other arm, it might be a sign of nerve damage. This can happen when the nerves in the shoulder are stretched during a difficult delivery. The result can be a brachial plexus injury.

Does Your Baby Make Sharp Cries?

A newborn is extremely fragile. During a difficult delivery, they could experience a bone fracture. That often happens when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck during delivery. If you notice the baby is frequently crying whenever a certain area is touched or their body is repositioned, it might indicate a fracture.

Do You See Any Bruising or Changes in Color to the Scalp?

Incorrect use of delivery assistance tools such as a vacuum extractor or forceps can result in bruising, swelling, or discoloration on your baby’s scalp.

The Role of a Birth Injury Attorney in Protecting Your Child

If you notice any of the above warning signs in your newborn, it is critical to trust your instincts and seek medical attention right away. There might not be anything wrong, but that should only be confirmed by the baby’s doctor. If there is an indication of a birth injury, you will undoubtedly be directed to a specialist who can help with a complete diagnosis and treatment plan.

Early medical intervention can play a significant role in identifying underlying conditions and improving your child’s long-term outcomes. At the same time, these symptoms may raise serious questions about what occurred during labor and delivery.

The attorneys at Thomas Law Offices have helped many families conduct thorough investigations into a baby’s prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. When we determine that preventable errors or lapses in monitoring contributed to your child’s condition, we can discuss options for holding the delivery team accountable.

Birth injuries can lead to expensive treatments and possible long-term care.

If neglect caused those injuries, you should not be obligated to pay those expenses. That should come from the at-fault parties. Taking action now can help secure the financial and medical support your child may need.

Call to set up a free case evaluation today and get your questions answered.