No topic creates as much fear and apprehension as an injury to a newly-born infant. Part of this comes from a deep-seated need to protect the young. The other part comes from the knowledge that a small problem at the start of life is likely to become bigger over time.

Prevention of a birth injury is a duty that parents take to heart from the first moment they hear that they are expecting a child. This continues to grow and shape habits for months after the baby is born. Doctors as well, consider their duty to a mother and unborn child to be of the utmost importance. This makes the event of a birth injury more painful for everyone involved. Everyone feels like they failed in their duty.

Birth Injury Prevention

This duty rests more heavily on doctors than mothers leading up to birth. The lead up to a delivery features numerous checks of the baby and the mother to ensure that the health of both is well-understood. 

Doctors want the best outcome for the mother and child but are more aware than anyone what pitfalls exist. Studies and statistics are collected to determine risk factors and make recommendations for hundreds of scenarios.

Calculations such as the height and weight of a mother before delivery and if it’s better to go with a caesarean or vaginal birth are discussed. These discussions, though difficult to engage in are part of why the number of birth injuries has declined from 2.6 to 1.9 per 1000 over the past decade.

Avoiding sudden complications and making a plan that fits a particular patient are ways doctors work to prevent birth injury. But what can mothers do to help ensure a health birth?

Benefits of Diet 

The first step expecting mothers take is to eat a diet that benefits the growing baby and themselves. Too often mothers turn to fad diet advice created with an eye towards the health of the child and end up neglecting their own needs.

The cycle between the mother’s health and that of the baby needs to be better understood.

The maximal health for the mother becomes the maximal health for the baby. Eating well and keeping things balanced are difficult with the sway society interacts with pregnancy in general. Mothers are coddled and scrutinized in ways that leave them distraught and prone to poor eating, especially in public.

Again, doctor’s have a duty to address dietary needs and concerns and help create a plan that facilitates the health for the both the mother and baby. Skimping on this duty can easily lead to problems near the delivery date. 

Prevention Through Exercise

Exercise is also important for maintaining health and facilitating a safer delivery. Strenuous workouts can lead to ruptures or pull the placenta away from the uterine walls. Too much rest can lead to atrophy, making delivery take longer and be more strenuous.

The window for delivery is important. Too quickly and the force can cause harm. Too slowly and the baby may be exposed to issues with breathing and waste management.

Exercise plays a crucial role in preparing for the delivery interval. 

The Next Step

Nothing is guaranteed in a birth. Even so, doctors have a duty to mitigate harm and offer the best possible outcome. When a birth injury occurs is the doctor that must answer for it. Did they not provide enough prenatal care? Was there a risk factor that was overlooked or ignored? 

If you have would like to find out how you can further ensure a happy and healthy pregnancy, please feel free to request a free copy of “A Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy” by visiting www.happybabyguide.com.

If you’ve or a loved one has suffered from a birth injury and want to know what you can do, contact us for a free consultation. We are always here to help.