Brachial plexus injuries are among the most common injuries to occur during birth. These injuries occur when the nerves connecting the spine to the collarbone, shoulder and arm are stretched or torn. If you're getting ready to have a baby, it's important to understand how these injuries occur. It is also beneficial to recognize when the injury occurs due to a mistake by your doctor, because you'll want to call a personal injury attorney in those cases.

How Can These Injuries Occur?

A brachial plexus injury typically occurs due to strain that pushes the baby's head upward and away from the shoulder while downward pressure is simultaneously applied to the shoulder. In some situations, brachial plexus injuries are due to breech birth or a difficult labor. In other cases, the injury may be the result of the doctor trying to free the baby's shoulders from the pelvic bone.

If the baby's head is free, but his or her shoulders are obstructed by the pelvic bone, the doctor or midwife delivering will have little to grasp for leverage to wiggle the shoulders free. In that case, he or she may apply some pressure on the baby's head to help change the angle of the shoulders and allow them to move. This can put pressure on those nerves in the shoulder and spine area, causing tears.

What Are the Signs of Brachial Plexus Injury?

Mild brachial plexus injuries may exhibit as a bit of weakness or limited movement in one arm and hand. If the injury is more severe, your child may lose some feeling in the affected arm or lose the ability to use the arm completely. These cases are the most severe and usually occur if the nerves are stretched to the degree that they're torn from the spinal column.

How Do You Treat Them?

There are many treatment options available depending on the severity of the injury. A mild brachial plexus injury may not need too much intervention beyond pediatrician supervision and routine exams to ensure that it's healing properly.

Sometimes, physical therapy is required to help restore motion and ensure that the nerves heal properly. This therapy involves teaching you how to move your child's arm in a series of motions intended to keep the limb and joints limber and the muscles functioning as much as possible until the nerves heal.

Surgery is typically reserved for severe injuries. Surgical treatments typically start with an exploratory procedure to observe the damage and determine the best method of repair. Then, your child will have a second surgery once the treatment plan is in place.

When Should You Call a Lawyer?

There are many factors that your doctor should address before your delivery. Your risk of injury increases when you have gestational diabetes or you're delivering a larger baby. The doctor should use his or her judgement to determine what would be considered a large baby based on your body structure. If he or she fails to acknowledge these risk factors and a birth injury occurs, you might have grounds for a personal injury suit.

When you have a history of large babies or deliveries with brachial plexus injuries, your doctor might recommend a cesarean delivery. If he or she doesn't consider this, an attorney may be able to claim malpractice if your baby is injured during delivery. Finally, there are some other options that your doctor may be able to use if your baby's shoulders are stuck, so if he or she doesn't attempt other methods before pulling on the baby's head and shoulders, it may be grounds for a suit as well.

If your baby sustained a brachial plexus injury during birth, you should talk with a personal injury attorney. He or she can investigate the records for your delivery and help you determine if you may have a case. The treatment and surgery required for this injury can be expensive, and if your doctor was at fault, you may want to pursue the case. For more information about your options, contact a firm such as Large & Associates Attorneys.