Common Birth Injuries and How to Protect Your Baby

A healthy delivery begins long before labor, and routine checkups build a picture of how your baby is doing as your pregnancy progresses. One key milestone for many parents is the 20-week pregnancy scan, an anatomy ultrasound that looks at your baby’s growth and can spot some developmental issues before birth. 

Even when that scan shows normal findings, unexpected problems can occur during labor and delivery. A small number of newborns suffer injuries such as scalp bruising, caput succedaneum (soft tissue swelling), broken collarbone or arm, cephalohematoma (blood under the scalp), bleeding inside the skull, and facial nerve injuries. The following article discusses these injuries and how you can protect your baby against them. 

Head and Scalp Injuries 

Some babies have swelling on the head or face after birth. Caput succedaneum is a soft swelling of the scalp that develops as a baby moves through the birth canal. It usually goes down on its own within a few days. 

A cephalohematoma is when blood collects under the scalp but above the skull bone. It may take weeks to months to disappear. These injuries are often due to pressure during delivery and are more common with vacuum or instrumental deliveries. 

To reduce risk, attend all prenatal visits so your clinician can monitor your baby’s growth and notice abnormal conditions early. Good communication with your care team helps them plan for labor and choose the safest approach. 

Bone Fractures 

Bones such as the collarbone (clavicle) can break during a difficult delivery. This often happens when the shoulder gets stuck after the head is delivered. Fractures of the humerus (upper arm bone) may also happen. These injuries tend to heal with gentle support and time. 

Discuss your birth plan with your doctor to minimize this risk. If your baby is unusually large or in an awkward position, a planned cesarean might be safer. A proper plan can lower the chances of prolonged labor, which raises fracture risk. 

Nerve Injuries 

Difficult labor can stretch or injure nerves. When the brachial plexus nerves are affected, an infant may have limited motion in an arm or shoulder. One form of this injury is Erb’s palsy. The upper parts of the nerves that supply the shoulder and arm are damaged when there is pressure or excessive pulling during delivery. 

It’s best to talk with your clinician about labor progress and the movement of your baby. If labor stalls, an earlier cesarean can prevent nerve injury caused by shoulder dystocia or difficult extraction. If nerve injury leads to lasting disability, a specialized Erb’s Palsy lawyer may be helpful in reviewing your options and rights. 

Forceps and Vacuum Related Injuries 

Tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors are used when labor is slow or the baby needs help getting out. These instruments can leave marks or bruises, and if not applied correctly, they may contribute to more serious trauma. Forceps delivery complications can range from minor bruises to nerve damage. 

Ask your clinicians about their experience with these tools before labor begins. A calm conversation can help you understand when they are used and why. In some cases, choosing a cesarean birth over forceps or vacuum may lower your baby’s risk of trauma. 

Endnote

Regular prenatal care helps spot problems before they affect labor. A high-risk pregnancy can be identified early, so specialists help guide your care. Nutrition, avoiding harmful substances, and open discussion with your doctor make a difference. When you take these informed steps, it helps protect your baby before and after birth.