Tag Archives: Birth Defects
Medical Device Delays Birth, Could Prevent Birth Traumas
A recently published study indicates that medical devices called pessaries could prevent premature birth, which puts babies at a higher risk of developing conditions like cerebral palsy. Doctors studied 385 pregnant women with short cervixes at five Spanish hospitals. Statistically, women with short cervixes are more likely to go into early labor. Nearly half (192) of the women were treated with the cervical pessary. Overall, fewer women in the pessary group went into premature labor than did women in the non-pessary group (12 in the former, 52 in the latter). Percentagewise, six percent of the pessary group went into early labor, compared to 26 percent of the non-pessary group. The babies born in the non-pessary group had higher rates of low birth weight and respiratory distress syndrome. Some women in the pessary group indicated that the device was painful. On average, the insertion of the device was a four and…
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Posted in Birth Trauma Tagged Birth Defects, birth trama lawyers, cerebral palsy, cervical pessary, early labor, pessaries, pessary, premature birth Comments Off on Medical Device Delays Birth, Could Prevent Birth Traumas
New Documentary on PBS: How to Avoid Birth Injuries
The United Brachial Plexus Network (BPI) has released a documentary that warns of the potential birth risks that could lead to brachial plexus injuries. Newborn Birth Injuries: The Untold Story is now airing as a filler piece on PBS stations, with clips available on YouTube and the organization’s website. In the film, medical professionals explain how brachial plexus injuries occur and how to avoid them. The brachial plexus is a vital system of nerves located near the back of the neck and upper spine. The nerves deliver signals to upper arm and chest muscles. Damage in this region during childbirth can cause serious birth defects, including nerve damage, paralysis, lack of muscle control or sensation, or Erb’s palsy. According to the documentary, doctors and nurses cause brachial plexus injuries by pulling and twisting on the baby’s head as it exits the womb. The baby can appear “stuck,” so the doctor…
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Posted in Birth Trauma, Erbs Palsy Tagged Birth Defects, birth trauma attorney, brachial plexus, brachial plexus injury, Erbs Palsy Comments Off on New Documentary on PBS: How to Avoid Birth Injuries
The Risks of Teratogens
Link to meet our birth trauma attorneys While birth defects can occur for a variety of reasons, there are some substances that when consumed will greatly increase the risk of such defects. Alcohol, some illegal drugs, and some prescription and over-the-counter medications are known to cause birth defects when taken during pregnancy. Known as “teratogens,” these substances interfere with the normal development of a fetus. It is not always possible to predict how a teratogen will affect a fetus, but there are some factors to consider: What type of drug is it? How big is the dose? How frequently is it taken? What stage of development is the fetus at the time of exposure? What is the individual response of the fetus to the drug? A variety of other factors, including maternal diet or illness Each fetus has about a four percent chance of a birth defect, even under perfect…
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Posted in Birth Defects Tagged Birth Defects, birth trauma attorney, teratogen Comments Off on The Risks of Teratogens
