Birth asphyxia is a condition that occurs when a baby is deprived of oxygen during birth. It can happen if the umbilical cord comes out too quickly, if there’s a problem with the placenta or if the baby doesn’t breathe right away after birth.
The condition usually isn’t fatal, but it can cause problems with brain development and other complications throughout your child’s life. It’s possible for birth asphyxia to occur even if you give birth at home or in a birthing center with a midwife or doctor on hand.
Birth asphyxia can lead to neurological damage and other complications, which can have lifelong effects on your child’s health and well-being. If your child suffered from birth asphyxia, you need to speak with an experienced birth injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Understanding Birth Asphyxia
Birth asphyxia is one of the most common causes of infant death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 5,000 babies die from this condition each year in this country alone. The signs of birth asphyxia are similar to those of SIDS.
It is important to be aware of the risk factors for this disease so that you can seek medical attention. A baby who has been exposed to birth asphyxia may have difficulty breathing, become lethargic and lose consciousness.
Some babies who experience birth asphyxia will show no signs at all; however, most will display some symptoms that you should be aware of. In order to get the best results possible, it is important to hire a birth injury lawyer who has experience in dealing with these cases.
A birth injury lawyer will also help you understand how much compensation you may be eligible for and what steps should be taken in order to get this compensation.
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Signs of Birth Asphyxia
Signs of birth asphyxia include:
Difficulty Breathing
The most common sign of birth asphyxia is difficulty breathing. If a baby has difficulty breathing, he may have to work harder than usual to breathe. This can cause his chest to move up and down more rapidly than normal.
Your baby may also have a bluish tint to his skin and lips, which is called cyanosis. Cyanosis happens when oxygen levels in the blood are low. Other signs that your baby may be having trouble breathing include:
Rapid Heart Rate
A rapid heart rate is another common symptom of birth asphyxia. A fast heart rate doesn’t necessarily mean that your baby has a problem with his heart. A fast heart rate means that your baby’s heart beats faster than normal for him — typically more than 100 beats per minute (bpm).
For you to get an accurate reading of your baby’s heart rate, make sure you take it several times during the day at least one hour apart from one another to ensure that it is taken at different times of the day.
Hiccups
Infants with hiccups should have their heart rates taken more than 10 minutes apart from each other. If your baby has hiccups, take his heart rate at least 10 minutes after the last hiccup. If he doesn’t have hiccups, take his heart rate as soon as possible to get an accurate reading.
Hiccups can cause a temporary increase in heart rate that may make it seem like your baby is having trouble breathing when he really isn’t. A birth injury lawyer can help parents who are affected by this condition by providing legal services and by making sure that they get the compensation they deserve.
Low Blood Sugar Levels (Hypoglycemia)
Babies with hypoglycemia often have difficulty feeding because their bodies can’t produce enough energy to sustain themselves through normal processes. This condition can also cause irritability and lethargy in infants who are otherwise healthy.
If your baby has hypoglycemia, he may have trouble feeding or sleeping and may appear fussy. Some babies with hypoglycemia also experience seizures. If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, talk to his doctor right away.
Lethargy
Babies who are born prematurely or underweight tend to be more susceptible to respiratory problems than full-term babies are; therefore, they may be lethargic or sleepy even while they are being held by their parents after delivery. If your baby seems lethargic after being brought home from the hospital, talk to his doctor about it. If your baby is premature or underweight, ask for help positioning him correctly when you feed him.
Why You Need a Birth Injury Lawyer to Sue for Birth Asphyxia
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If your child has been injured by birth asphyxia, it’s important that you contact us as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will be able to help you understand your legal rights and options, including whether you may be eligible for compensation from the hospital or doctor who delivered your child.
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