Mothers in the United States have choices when it comes to childbirth.  While the majority of moms still decide to give birth in a hospital, the prevalence of home births has risen significantly in recent years.  According to the CDC, there was a 20% rise in home births between 2004 and 2008.  Some homebirths are attended by lay midwives and some are attended by obstetricians or other doctors.

Still, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology is warning mothers that home births can be unsafe.  Some reasons why home births may be unsafe include the lack of emergency equipment and the fact that the professionals attending the birth may not have adequate training.

If you or your child have been hurt in a home birth and have pursued a legal recovery, please leave a comment and let others know your story.  Women have the choice about where to give birth and they also have the choice to pursue justice when they are harmed.  Your story may provide courage to other women to do just that.

Last month we talked about the ban on capturing a baby’s birth on video that is currently in place in many hospitals.  According to recent media reports, it appears that is not only videos that are being limited. Now, still cameras (and cell phone pictures) are also being limited in many hospitals, allegedly out of fear that parents will document evidence of birth injury medical malpractice.

Many parents are upset about this development, not because they wish to have evidence to use against the doctors whom they’ve entrusted to deliver their babies, but because they will be missing photographic evidence of an important part of their lives.

Before doctors, and hospitals, rush to judgment about allowing parents to photograph – or not – it is important to remember that pictures can just as easily show that no medical malpractice was committed and can document a very special time in the life of a family.

There are few days as special as the birth of your child.  Many expecting parents show up at the hospital with all the birthing essentials – their cell phones, numbers of people to call with the exciting news, a camera and a video camera. 

However, in many Pennsylvania hospitals you will not be able to use that video camera right away.  Many hospitals have strict policies preventing parents, and others, from videotaping births. One of the reasons for this is to prevent a recording of any potential birth injury or obstetrical medical malpractice during the birthing process.

Do you think this policy is fair?  Should you be prevented from a digital recording of this most special day because doctors are afraid you’ll record their mistakes?  Leave us a comment and let us know.

There is a lot to know as a new parent, but there is little as important as protecting the health of your newborn.  Shoulder dystocia is a type of birth injury that can have serious health effects for your child.  Shoulder dystocia is considered an obstetric emergency that requires quick medical attention to avoid serious complications such as erb’s palsy and other brachial plexus injuries.

Evaluating a Brachial Plexus Injury

A brachial plexus injury occurs when the nerves that send signals to the arm, shoulder, or hand are hurt.  While some brachial plexus injuries are minor and heal on their own, other brachial plexus injuries are significant and require emergency medical treatment.

If your child has had a difficult birth whether from a prolonged labor, a breech delivery or getting stuck in the birth canal and there are signs that the baby has suffered a brachial plexus injury then the pediatric medical team should evaluate the injury by conducting various tests to determine how the child is effected by the injury and what brachial plexus treatment is necessary.

Newborn cleft lip causes.

When Do Parents Notice Erbs Palsy?

Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury.  It can effect a baby’s shoulder, elbow or an entire arm.  Parents should be aware that the following may be symptoms of erb’s palsy:

• Lack of moro reflex in one arm;
• Decreased grip in one hand;
• An arm that remains flexed at the elbow and close to the body; and
• Little or no movement in the arm or hand.

If you notice any of these erb’s palsy symptoms in your child, then it is important to get prompt medical treatment for your child.

What’s The Difference Between Cerebral And Erbs Palsy?

Cerebral palsy and erb’s palsy are not the same conditions.  Typically, when cerebral palsy is the result of a birth injury it occurs because the baby doesn’t get enough oxygen at birth.  Erb’s palsy usually results from a difficult birth where the baby has trouble moving down or out of the birth canal and the nerves in the arm are injured.

Cerebral palsy and erb’s palsy are not caused in the same way and, though there are similarities between the two conditions, they are not the same conditions.  There are many types of cerebral palsy, all of which effect gross motor development.  Erb’s palsy is specific to the shoulder, arm and/or hand of the patient.

How Long Does Erb’s Palsy Treatment Last?

The length of treatment for erb’s palsy depends on the severity of the condition and the recommended treatment.  Many erb’s palsy patients who do not respond to physical and occupational therapy require surgery.  After surgery, additional physical and occupational therapy will be required.  Often, occupational therapy and physical therapy treatment continues for years.

Erb’s palsy treatment can be expensive and painful.  If your child has suffered erb’s palsy as a result of shoulder dystocia or another birth injury then it is important to contact an erb’s palsy lawyer for more information about your rights.