Most birth injuries are minor and heal with time. But expecting parents are often unaware that babies can also get birth injuries in the birthing process. They occur due to natural forces of labour and delivery. The common birth injuries to watch for are:
Minor injuries
- Scalp Swelling (Caput Succedaneum): Caused by pressure during delivery, this soft swelling or bulge on the scalp usually resolves within a few days and requires no treatment.
- Bruising (Cephalohematoma): Similar to caput succedaneum, it involves bleeding between the scalp and skull bone. It disappears on its own within weeks.
- Facial Paralysis: Temporary weakness or paralysis of facial muscles due to pressure on the facial nerve. Usually recovers completely within a few months.
- Clavicle Fracture: The most common bone fracture in newborns, often caused during shoulder delivery. Healing happens naturally and support might be provided for comfort.
- Shoulder Dystocia: Shoulder dystocia happens when the baby's shoulders become stuck behind the mother's pubic bone during delivery. This can result in brachial plexus injuries, such as Erb's palsy or Klumpke's palsy, affecting the movement and sensation in the baby's arm or hand.
- Subconjuctival Haemorrhage: In this case, the small blood vessels in the baby's eyes can get ruptured. This may cause red bands in the white part of one or both the eyes. This is usually not very serious and gets absorbed in 7–10 days.
- Fractures: Newborns can also have fractures in the upper arm bone and the upper leg bone. They experience pain in the first few days but with medical attention, the fractures can heal well.