For most people in the Chicago area, the birth of their baby is one of the happiest times of their lives. Unfortunately, each year in America thousands of families welcome babies who are not fully healthy at the time of birth. Anyone who goes through this experience should know the difference between birth defects and birth injuries.
Defect vs. injury
A birth defect typically develops while the child is still in the mother’s womb. There are many different causes for birth defects, ranging from genetic factors and infections to the mother’s use of alcohol or illegal drugs. In many cases, there isn’t much that healthcare professionals can do to prevent or repair birth defects.
A birth injury, however, can occur specifically because of the actions or inactions of healthcare professionals. A typical birth injury occurs as the baby is being born and might include trauma to the baby’s skull or other bones, or even brain injuries, among other possible injuries.
Admittedly, there is a lot going on during the childbirth process and healthcare professionals have lots of data to keep track of for both the mother and the child’s conditions as the process plays out. But, any missteps as the birthing process is underway could lead to birth injuries that may have been entirely preventable with proper procedures. If you have a child who you believe suffered a birth injury, be sure to have the medical data and facts surrounding the situation carefully evaluated for a potential medical malpractice claim.