We at the GDH Law Firm would like to congratulate Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z on the news that they are expecting twins! This is undoubtedly an exciting time for the artistic couple, who rank as two of the world’s top pop stars. As every mother knows, over the next several months it will be crucial that Queen Bey regularly attends her prenatal check-ups and follows her prescribed prenatal regimen, including taking vitamins and any prescribed medications.
Many women underestimate just how important prenatal care is for the eventual healthy birth of their babies. Prenatal care includes all pregnancy related healthcare, and is one of the most important advances of modern medical care. It has directly contributed to the decreased incidence of birth injury and infant mortality enjoyed by modern women, as compared to women who gave birth just decades ago. In other words, prenatal care can be a life saver for your baby.
Some Common Birth Injuries
Every year tens of thousands of babies are born with various forms of birth injuries. Some of the most common birth injuries include:
- Cerebral palsy: Researchers continue to investigate the causes of cerebral palsy, but the condition has been linked to trauma during birth, and also to a deficit of oxygen during labor and birth. Other causes include the improper or unskillful use of medical instruments, and even the progression of undiagnosed conditions such as jaundice.
- Erb’s palsy (brachial plexus injury): This injury occurs in about one out of every 1,000 births. When the nerves which extend from the fingertips, all the way down the spinal cord, are damaged, paralysis or partial paralysis of the baby’s arm can result.
- Spina bifida – This condition occurs when a baby’s developing spine fails to seal itself before the child is born. Researchers have indicated that prenatal folic acid can help reduce your baby’s risk of developing spina bifida by 70 percent. Medical practitioners, equipped with ultrasound technology, area able to diagnose and treat spina bifida by performing a postnatal surgery.
- Reduced blood flow related injuries: When your baby’s blood does not flow properly, he or she may not receive the correct amount of oxygen to his or her brain. The condition can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including infection, prescription medication, and trauma. Blood flow conditions can result in a child suffering from serious physical and psychological birth injuries, and can even result in death.
Why Following Your Prenatal Routine is Important
Every expectant mother’s dream is to bring a healthy child into the world. By following your prenatal regimen, you will ensure that you are doing your part to secure the health of your child. In the event that your baby does suffer from a birth defect, you will be able to prove that you did everything right. Defense counsel, will scour over medical records to see if a mother missed a physician appointment, and use that as a reason to point blame on the mother. This will be important if you determine that your medical provider’s negligence contributed to your child’s situation and decide to sue for compensation. As long as you followed your prescribed prenatal regimen, it helps when proving that your baby’s injuries were caused by factors outside your control.
What to Do if Your Child Suffers from a Birth Injury
If your child suffers from a birth injury, his or her condition may be the result of medical negligence by the medical professionals who attended to you before, during, and after your child’s birth. Contact our law offices today for a free case consultation, and to learn your legal options.