Key Differences Between Birth Injuries and Birth Defects

Both birth injuries and birth defects are things that no parent wants their newborn to experience. But it’s still necessary to understand each of them and how they differ from one another and whether they may require the legal help of a medical malpractice attorney.

Birth Defects

Birth defects happen to the developing baby inside the mother’s uterus. If exposed to harmful chemicals, such as ones from alcohol or cigarettes, the baby could be born with serious anomalies. While this kind of negligence can be blamed on the mother, doctors can still be liable in certain birth defect cases. For instance, if a doctor prescribes a medication that has been tested to cause birth defects, then they should be held accountable in the event of any deformations. Not all birth defects can be blamed on maternal or medical neglect, as some genes can influence whether a baby is born with defects.

Birth Injuries

Birth injuries occur as the baby is being brought into the world. As they’re trying to emerge from the womb, they may have a hard time, due to their size or the time they spend in labor. Maternal pelvic size may also be too small for the baby to be delivered smoothly. Doctors also might be complicit in birth injuries. Putting too much stress on the cranium or being too aggressive during the delivery can also potentially cause injuries.

Preventing Birth Injuries and Birth Defects

While mistakes do happen, doctors literally have lives in their hands. Their duty of care is to ensure that they take whatever measures necessary to ensure that both an expectant mother is safe and her baby is born healthy. They must make sure that they are providing prenatal and birth care that works for both the mother and her baby. They need to be able to answer all of the mother’s questions with straightforward answers, as well as be alert about any possible complications and find the right way to treat them.

Being negligent with the health of an expectant mother and her baby does not go without consequences. Doctors don’t get a good reputation just because they have medical degrees. They have to show that they actually value their patients and their livelihood.

If your baby has undergone birth injuries and/or birth defects due to improper medical treatment, you need to get in touch with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. The attorneys at The Haynes Firm will listen to your story and fight for the justice and compensation that you’re entitled to.

Contact The Haynes Firm at (423)451-4999 for a free consultation.