BirthInjury FYI

Birth Injury Resources


Do You Suffer From a Birth Injury?

What is Birth Injury?

A birth injury is defined as damage to an infant's body at the time of birth, usually as a result of a complication during labor and/or delivery. Some of the common complications that occur during birth include excessive bleeding, prolonged labor, fetal distress, dysfunctional labor, breech/malpresentation, and seizures. Birth injuries sometimes occur due to medical malpractice.

Birth Injury Odds

Of the 15 commonly reported birth injuries, only three have been found to occur at a rate of greater than 30 per 1,000 births. These are: a moderate to heavy quantity of meconium (undigested debris) found in the amniotic fluid, at 58 per 1,000 births; fetal distress at 42 per 1,000 births; and breech/malpresentation at 38 per 1,000 births.Common Types of Birth Injury

There are several types of birth injury that can occur during labor and/or delivery. Some of these include:

  • Febrile - a fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Excessive bleeding - the loss of a significant amount of blood
  • Fetal distress - lack of oxygen to the infant (hypoxia)
  • Meconium Aspiration Syndrome - inhalation of meconium, resulting in respiratory distress
  • Seizures - any seizure suffered by the mother or the infant that results in injury to the infant