The birth of a child is one of life’s most special moments for a parent, but giving birth is also an uncertain experience. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that medical intervention could prevent nearly 60 percent of maternal mortality cases.
To ensure the health and safety of the pregnant person and the infant, medical professionals must aptly and carefully take care of any childbirth complications that arise. Two common conditions that cause birth injuries are shoulder dystocia and uterine rupture.
Shoulder dystocia
During childbirth, one of the infant’s shoulders might become stuck if the baby is in an abnormal position or is too big for the parent’s public bone. This condition is shoulder dystocia. If improperly treated, the infant might suffer from nerve damage, including Erb’s palsy or clavicle fractures. However, if managed appropriately by a multidisciplinary team, the risk of a brachial plexus injury is almost entirely eliminated.
Uterine rupture
During the early stages of childbirth, the wall of the uterus could tear. The baby then slips into the mother’s abdomen which can cause suffocation and severe bleeding. Severe consequences like disability or death may result for the mother and infant if the rupture extends all the way through the uterine wall. Since uterine tears happen early during the birthing process, doctors and nurses can identify this type of complication with constant monitoring.
With the rate of maternal and infant mortality rates on the rise, knowing what childbirth conditions to look out for may make a crucial difference in a family’s life.