5 Common Causes of Birth Injuries Explained

As we age, we tend to randomly think about the unique concept of childbirth. Once upon a time, you were a tiny baby who has now grown into an adult. Unfortunately, not every baby gets the same healthy start.

Some newborns experience birth trauma, a physical harm during delivery that can have lasting effects. There are various birth injury causes, many tied to unseen birth complications during labour and delivery.

For both expectant and new parents in Ontario, understanding these risks is important. This blog breaks down five common birth injury causes to help you prepare and protect your baby’s health.

1. Prolonged or difficult labour

Prolonged or difficult labour stands out as a leading cause of birth trauma. When labour stretches beyond the normal timeframe, the baby faces an increased risk of oxygen deprivation.

This oxygen shortage, known as fetal distress, can quickly lead to serious birth complications. One severe outcome is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a brain injury caused by insufficient oxygen during birth. If not addressed on time, the condition can lead to lasting neurological damage.

The medical team must always watch labour progress carefully to detect complications early and reduce birth injury causes. Expectant parents are recommended to discuss labour management plans with their care providers to understand how risks are minimized.

2. Use of assisted delivery tools

Sometimes, labour does not progress as expected. In such cases, healthcare providers turn to assisted delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors to bring the baby safely into the world. These instruments can be lifesaving when used correctly. However, misuse or excessive force can cause serious birth trauma.

Vacuum extraction, for example, can lead to cephalohematoma. This is a collection of blood beneath the baby’s skull. It may also cause retinal hemorrhages, which affect the eyes. Forceps deliveries carry risks, too. If applied improperly, they can damage facial nerves or cause fractures such as broken clavicles.

Concerns about these risks have grown. For instance, a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) showed a rise in obstetrical trauma linked to forceps deliveries over a ten-year period.

A new research report has also found that birth injury causes from forceps to vacuum use is now more recurrent than previously thought. They are common in provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.

Healthcare teams must carefully evaluate each delivery. Judicious use of assisted tools helps limit birth complications. Also, open communication with expectant parents about delivery options clears the way for safe outcomes.

3. Premature birth

Babies born before 37 weeks are classified as preterm or premature. These infants face unique challenges. Their organs, especially the brain, lungs, and heart, haven’t fully matured. This immaturity makes them vulnerable to birth trauma.

One of the most serious risks is intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), where bleeding occurs inside the brain’s ventricles. Another is periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), which damages the brain’s white matter, potentially leading to lifelong neurological issues. Both conditions can result from oxygen deprivation or fragile blood vessels in the immature brain.

In Ontario, about 8.1 per 100 live births are premature. Despite advances in neonatal care that have improved survival rates, preterm infants still face a higher chance of birth injury causes related to organ underdevelopment.

Families of preterm infants must stay informed about the increased risk of birth complications. They should also work closely with healthcare providers, as early intervention and ongoing care can improve outcomes.

4. Maternal health conditions

A mother’s health during pregnancy directly shapes her baby’s safety at birth. Some conditions sharply raise the risk of birth trauma.

For instance, preeclampsia causes dangerously high blood pressure and can trigger placental abruption. In this case, the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery. This cuts off oxygen to the baby and multiplies the chances of birth complications.

Gestational diabetes is another concern. High maternal blood sugar can lead to larger birth weights. Such scenarios make delivery physically harder and heighten the possibility of dystocia, a situation that can cause birth trauma to the baby’s nerves or bones.

Additionally, maternal infections (like Group B strep) are likely to threaten newborn health if not detected and treated on time.

Ontario health providers stress proactive management. Regular prenatal visits allow doctors to track blood pressure, sugar, and infection risks. Ultrasounds and lab tests identify problems early. Medication, dietary changes, and close monitoring can make a difference.

In essence, maternal health care is preventative care for the baby. Addressing risks before labour begins reduces birth complications.

5. Birth position and presentation

The way a baby positions in the womb easily decides if a delivery will be straightforward or complicated. A head-first presentation is ideal. Abnormal presentations like breech (feet or buttocks first) or transverse (lying sideways) can change everything. In such cases, labour becomes harder.

Breech delivery may lead to entrapment. It can also set off an umbilical cord prolapse, cutting off oxygen in seconds. These are critical emergencies. Quick decisions save lives. In some cases, an emergency C-section becomes the safest route. Such complications are among the birth injury causes sometimes seen in delivery rooms.

Ultrasound scans are vital to confirm the baby’s position well before due dates. If concerns arise, doctors usually attempt an external cephalic version (ECV), a careful manoeuvre to turn the baby head-down. Every effort aims to prevent birth complications before labour even begins.

Sommers Roth & Elmaleh Advocates for Birth Trauma Victims in Ontario

If you suspect a birth injury and believe negligence played a role, fast action matters. Sommers Roth & Elmaleh’s legal team has built a reputation as one of Ontario’s most trusted and reliable advocates in complex birth injury litigations.

The team also tends to cases and clients from across Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta, Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, and Quebec.

We understand how birth injury causes often link to medical decisions made in moments that can change lives forever. With over 40 years of experience, our compassionate lawyers know the Ontario healthcare system, its standards, and where failures occur.

Our results speak volumes:

• A young girl living with cerebral palsy secured over $15.6 million in compensation after errors from forceps and vacuum delivery by her obstetrician.

• A man diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to severe hypoxic-ischemic injury during delivery received $11 million in damages.

• An $8 million settlement was obtained for a girl who developed cerebral palsy due to prolonged tachysystole in labour.

Families trust Sommers Roth & Elmaleh because we fight relentlessly for justice. The focus is always on accountability and ensuring the resources that children need for a lifetime of care are obtained.

When birth trauma changes your life, you deserve answers and results. Now is the time to call us at 1-844-940-2386 or contact us here to schedule a confidential consultation.