How to Prevent Birth Injuries

A birth injury can come in many forms and various levels of severity, from bruising and scarring to a fractured collarbone, brain injury, paralysis, and more. Fortunately, parents may find success in reducing the impact of even unavoidable birth injuries with some preparation and the help of a trained medical professional.

Find the Right Doctor for You

The first thing expectant parents should do is assess their risk factors and their view of childbirth, then use this as a springboard to find the right medical provider. There are countless OB-GYNs out there; knowing your risk factors and birth philosophy can help narrow down the search.

A few common risk factors for birth injuries include hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Other risk factors may develop during pregnancy or labor and delivery, such as if your baby is in a breech position or larger than average. It is crucial that your obstetrician have experience with any existing or potential risk factors that apply to your pregnancy.

Similarly, it is just as important to find an obstetrician whose birth philosophy aligns with yours. Are you planning for a C-section or vaginal birth? Do you plan to have an epidural? What kind of prenatal and postnatal care do you need and want? These are all good questions to ask yourself when looking for an obstetrician.

Birth Injury Prevention Tips

Our top 5 birth injury prevention tips include:

1. Make sure to get enough sleep: Being well-rested is good for everyone’s health, but it is particularly important during pregnancy.
2. Seek prenatal care: Attend regular check-ups with a qualified obstetrician to monitor your baby’s development. If risk factors for a birth injury arise, your obstetrician will have the chance to address them.
3. Eat a healthy diet: When you’re pregnant, you need certain nutrients to maintain your and your baby’s health. Foods high in protein and calcium are typically recommended during pregnancy.
4. Consider prenatal vitamins: Some people benefit from prenatal vitamins. Make sure to check with your doctor to see if these are right for you.
5. Reconsider your regular medication: There are many prescription and over-the-counter medications that are fine to take when you aren’t pregnant, but then pose a significant health risk once you become pregnant. Talk to your doctor about whether your medications are safe for use during pregnancy.

A little preparation can go a long way. We strongly recommend that expecting parents consult a qualified obstetrician as soon as possible.

Trial-Ready Orange County Birth Injury Lawyers

Sadly, preventable birth injuries can occur if even one attending medical professional is negligent. If you or your child suffered a preventable birth injury because of medical negligence, our attorney team at the Law Office of Marshall Silberberg will advocate for you. We genuinely care about protecting the rights of injured families throughout Orange County, so much so that we have won over $500 million in fair compensation for our clients.

To book a free consultation with an award-winning attorney, contact the Law Office of Marshall Silberberg online or call (949) 565-4281 today! Se habla español.