A nuchal cord is an umbilical cord wrapped around a baby’s neck. Umbilical cords connect a fetus with the mother and can be wrapped around a baby’s neck once, or even more than once. A body cord occurs when the umbilical cord is wrapped around a baby’s shoulder or abdomen. About 1 in 4 deliveries... Read More

A fetus has both a position and presentation while in the womb. The position is the direction a fetus is facing relative to the mother’s spine. The presentation is how an infant’s body leads, or is anticipated to lead out of the birth canal. An abnormal fetal position or presentation can lead to birth injuries... Read More

During some deliveries, the mother isn’t able to move the baby out of the birth canal through pushing alone, or there may be safety or health issues that make unassisted delivery impossible or dangerous. When the health of the mother or baby is at risk, other options may need to be considered, such as a... Read More

Anoxia is largely a birthing complication that affects children either in the womb, during the birthing process, or immediately after delivery. Going through this distress can lead to a child developing cerebral palsy. Here is what you should know about anoxia and its role in cerebral palsy. What Is Anoxia? Anoxia is a very serious... Read More

One of the greatest joys—and reliefs—of new parenthood is seeing your baby reach the expected developmental benchmarks of infancy, such as sitting, rolling over, crawling, and walking. Babies who have trouble reaching these normal milestones may be exhibiting the signs of many different conditions. One such condition is cerebral palsy—a motor disorder that can result... Read More

Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disorder seen in children. Some cases are identified shortly after birth, while others are not diagnosed until the child is older and their lack of motor control and skills becomes more noticeable. What Causes Cerebral Palsy? Cerebral palsy is a set of conditions that are caused by damage... Read More

CPFN Special Contributors Anita Howell and Lisa Viele explain the federal “Stay Put” rule—which gives parents a voice when making decisions about their children’s education—and how it impacted Anita’s son, Ryan. TRANSCRIPT Text: Ever walk into an IEP (Individualized education plan) meeting and feel overpowered by the teachers and their plans? The federal “Stay Put”... Read More

Though birth complications are rare, they do still occur, and issues like anoxia can have a huge impact on your baby’s life. Anoxia refers to a complete loss of oxygen, an uncommon, and often preventable, but very dangerous risk during childbirth that can lead to permanent physical impairment. What Is Anoxia/Lack of Oxygen? Anoxia happens... Read More

Cerebral palsy, or CP, is the result of abnormal development or damage in the areas of the brain that control movement. The events that cause CP typically occur before, during, or shortly after a baby is born, or when the brain is developing in the first few years of the baby’s life. Here is a... Read More

Cerebral palsy, a lifelong condition caused by damage to the developing brain, can result in problems with bodily movement, memory, attention, and more. Many factors—including, lack of oxygen to the fetus, and trauma sustained before, during, or shortly after birth—can cause the condition. However, in some cases medical malpractice is to blame. Unfortunately, you may... Read More