Top 7 Common Birth Injuries Parents Should Know About

When you’re welcoming a newborn, you expect joy, hope, and smiles. However, things don’t go as planned. Babies may suffer birth injuries during labour, delivery, or just after birth. Knowing what common birth injuries look like, what causes them, and how you can respond helps you protect your child. In this article, you’ll learn about common birth injuries, what they may look like, and the steps you can take if you’re worried something went wrong.

What Are The Most Common Birth Injuries?

Here are seven of the most frequently seen birth injuries in newborns.

1. Cerebral Palsy

• What it is: Brain damage or injury to a baby’s nervous system that affects movement, coordination, or cognition.
• Why it happens: Often caused by oxygen deprivation (hypoxia), trauma during delivery, or delayed intervention.
• How parents may notice it: Delays in rolling, crawling, or walking, muscle stiffness or weakness, and unusual reflexes or seizures.

2. Brachial Plexus Injury (Erb’s Palsy)

• What it is: Injury to the network of nerves that run from the neck to the shoulder, arm, and hand.
• Why it happens: Often due to excessive force during delivery or shoulder dystocia, in which the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone.
• How parents may notice it: One arm seems weak, the baby avoids moving it, and awkward posture of the arm or hand.

3. Fractures and Broken Bones

• What it is: Bones such as the clavicle (collarbone) or humerus (upper arm) are broken during baby delivery.
• Why it happens: Forceful delivery, breech births, or use of tools like forceps or vacuum extraction.
• How parents may notice it: Baby cries when that part is touched, swelling or tenderness near the bone, uneven movement of limbs.

4. Cephalohematoma and Head-Bleeding Injuries

• What it is: Collection of blood beneath the baby’s scalp or skull due to pressure during birth.
• Why it happens: Pressure on the baby’s head during labour, use of delivery devices, or prolonged labour.
• How parents may notice it: A raised soft area on the baby’s head may appear hours after birth, sometimes associated with jaundice.

5. Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) or Oxygen Deprivation Injuries

• What it is: Brain injury from lack of oxygen or blood flow before, during, or after birth.
• Why it happens: Umbilical cord problems, placental abruption, labour complications, or delayed delivery.
• How parents may notice it: Baby appears floppy or limp, has low Apgar scores (health score at birth), seizures, or other signs of neurological damage.

6. Facial Nerve Injuries

• What it is: Damage to the cranial nerves (face) during delivery, leading to weakness or paralysis of facial muscles.
• Why it happens: Pressure on the baby’s face during delivery, forceps use, or prolonged labour.
• How parents may notice it: Baby’s face looks asymmetrical, one eye may not close fully, baby struggles to feed from one side.

7. Internal Organ Damage & Bleeding

• What it is: Injury to organs like the liver, spleen, or bleeding inside the baby’s body during delivery.
• Why it happens: Excessive force, prolonged labour, or use of tools that increase trauma risk.
• How parents may notice it: Baby has unexplained bruising, low blood count, signs of internal bleeding, and pale appearance.

Is Every Birth Complication Considered Malpractice?

Not all complications during labor or delivery are caused by negligence. Some issues happen even when doctors and nurses do everything right. Birth can be unpredictable, and certain problems may develop quickly or without warning. What matters is whether the medical team responded in a reasonable and timely way based on the information they had.

A complication may rise to the level of malpractice when a provider fails to monitor the mother or baby, ignores clear warning signs, uses unsafe delivery techniques, or delays treatment that could have prevented harm. The difference often comes down to whether another trained provider would have acted differently in the same situation.

If something feels off or you weren’t given clear explanations about what happened, it’s okay to ask questions. Reviewing records and speaking with someone who understands birth injury cases can help you tell whether the complication was unavoidable or the result of preventable medical mistakes.

How Can Parents Respond And Monitor If They Suspect A Birth Injury?

1. Keep all medical records from labour, delivery, and newborn care. These records show how the delivery went, what tools or methods were used, and whether there was distress.
2. Monitor your baby’s development. Watch for delays in movement, feeding issues, weak limbs, or abnormal behaviour.
3. Ask your doctor about any abnormal findings. For example, if the baby has one weak arm or a head bump, get clarification.
4. Seek early treatment. Physical therapy, feeding therapy, and early intervention programs can help mitigate long-term effects.
5. Consult with a birth injury attorney about your rights if you suspect the injury was caused by an avoidable error or trauma during delivery.

Ready To Talk If You Need Guidance?

If you believe your child suffered a birth injury during delivery, it’s wise to talk about your concerns sooner rather than later. At Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., we offer a no-charge consultation to help you understand what happened and what your options might be. Reach out today so you’re not facing this alone.