Your doctor should prevent spinal damage during childbirth

When you bring your newborn home from the hospital, you are probably both exhausted and elated. While you may wonder what is normal and whether you are feeding your daughter enough, you probably enjoy every little sound she makes as you snuggle her close.

But like most new parents, you may not understand the signs indicating something is wrong. Sure, your baby will cry when she is wet or hungry, but how would you know if she had an injury? It is typical for babies to stretch and reposition themselves. But if one of your infant’s arms does not move, you might be wise to consult a physician about a possible brachial plexus injury (BPI).

How a BPI could affect your baby

The network of nerves which sends signals all the way from your spinal cord to your hand is called the brachial plexus. While many BPIs happen during participation in contact sports, childbirth can cause the nerves to stretch or separate from the spinal cord as well.

Factors involved with birth-related BPIs might include:

• Extended labor
• Breech positioning
• High birth weight

A severe BPI could paralyze your arm – leaving you without sensation or function. However, less serious complications could still result in permanent challenges with:

• Pain
• Joint stiffness
• Numbness
• Muscle degeneration

If you learn that your infant has a BPI, you may be wise to learn daily exercises you can do with your child to engage her muscles and prevent stiffness in her joints. And if you believe your provider could have guided your delivery process to prevent your daughter’s injuries, you may want to explore your legal options.