The postpartum period—the period following childbirth—is a time of vulnerability for both newborns and their families. Complications can occur during or right after childbirth, but the effects may not be immediately apparent, leading to what seem to be late-onset birth injuries.
While these conditions can have a lasting impact on a child’s development and overall well-being, vigilant postpartum care provides a critical window for early identification and intervention, offering the best chance for improved outcomes.
Understanding Late-Onset Birth Injuries
Late-onset birth injuries are those that may not be detected immediately at birth but become evident days, weeks, or even months after birth. These injuries can result from various factors, like oxygen deprivation or trauma during delivery. A few types of birth injuries that are commonly discovered later include:
- Cerebral Palsy: A neurological disorder that affects muscle movement and coordination, cerebral palsy can be caused by brain injury during birth. Symptoms may include muscle stiffness, tremors, and difficulty with fine motor skills.
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): This condition occurs when the baby’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen during or shortly after birth. It can lead to brain damage, developmental delays, and cerebral palsy.
- Brachial Plexus Injuries: These injuries involve damage to the nerves in the shoulder and arm, often occurring due to rough handling during delivery. They can cause weakness, numbness, or paralysis in the affected arm.
While the possibility of such injuries can be daunting for new parents, watching out for them in the postpartum period is the first step toward protecting your child’s future. If you believe a doctor’s negligence in the delivery room might have caused your child’s condition, contact our team to schedule a free consultation.
Postpartum Care: A Critical Window for Detection
Postpartum care encompasses the medical attention and monitoring that both mother and baby receive after birth. It’s a critical period for identifying potential complications and ensuring the baby’s healthy development. Key components of postpartum care that aid in the detection of late-onset birth injuries include:
Well-Baby Visits
Regular checkups with a pediatrician are essential for monitoring the baby’s growth, development, and overall health. These visits allow doctors to assess the baby’s progress, identify any concerns, and provide guidance to parents. It is recommended that well-baby or well-child visits occur at the following ages:
- 2 – 4 days
- By 1 month
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 2 years
- 2 ½ years
- 3 years
- Yearly until age 21
Developmental Milestones
Parents and healthcare providers should be aware of key developmental milestones, such as smiling, recognizing familiar people, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking. Delays in reaching these milestones can be an early indicator of a potential problem caused by a birth injury.
While every child develops at their own pace, significant deviations from the expected timeline warrant further investigation. To help parents track their child’s development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a comprehensive list of milestones online, along with a free milestone tracker app.
We also encourage you to visit Beam Legal Team’s resource on how to detect birth injuries, which includes information on symptoms and milestones to monitor for.
Specific Assessments and Screenings
If you notice any missed milestones or concerning symptoms in your baby, it’s crucial to bring these to your pediatrician’s attention during well-baby visits. Your doctor can then perform a more detailed assessment—neurological exams, vision and hearing tests, developmental assessments—and order further tests if necessary.
Remember, early detection and intervention during the postpartum period are key to managing late-onset birth injuries and helping your child reach their full potential. If your child is diagnosed with a birth injury, a birth injury lawsuit can help your family get the compensation you need to cover the cost of treatment throughout your child’s life.
The Importance of Healthcare Provider Vigilance
Your healthcare providers should play a vital role in identifying and addressing potential late-onset birth injuries. Make sure your pediatrician is doing the following:
- Maintaining Open Communication: Encouraging you to share any concerns about your baby’s health or development
- Conducting Thorough Examinations: Performing comprehensive physical and developmental exams at each well-baby visit
- Ordering Appropriate Screenings: Using diagnostic tools to assess your baby’s progress
- Documenting Observations: Maintaining detailed records of your baby’s health and any unusual findings
- Making Timely Referrals to Specialists: If necessary, referring your family to specialists for further evaluation and treatment
Late-onset birth injuries can be the result of medical negligence or errors during delivery. If you suspect that your child’s injuries were caused by substandard medical care, it’s time to consult with an experienced birth injury lawyer about your legal options.
Contact Us for Help if Birth Injury Symptoms Appear
If you discover a late-onset birth injury during the postpartum period, it’s crucial to seek legal guidance as soon as possible. You have a limited amount of time to file a claim, and the process for birth injury claims is often complicated. At Beam Legal Team, our experienced attorneys can help you understand your rights and file a claim before it’s too late.
We’ll investigate the circumstances of your child’s injury, help determine if medical negligence played a role, and fight tirelessly to secure the compensation your family deserves. Contact us today for a free consultation.
