As you approach your due date, you’re likely focused on preparing as much as possible to ensure a safe and healthy delivery. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead for the small chance that something goes wrong. One possible complication is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a birth injury that occurs in 1.5 out of every 1,000... Read More

Anoxia occurs when the body or brain loses its oxygen supply. In the context of childbirth, when oxygen deprivation takes place, it can contribute to a form of brain damage caused by oxygen loss known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). HIE can result in cognitive and motor deficiencies that may impair a child’s development and contribute... Read More

An estimated one in three women gives birth via cesarean section in the United States alone. While this method of birth is certainly common, it doesn’t come without risks. Understanding these risks and the effect a C-section can have on both you and your child is an important part of preparing for your labor and... Read More

Over the last several decades, doctors and medical researchers have used brain imaging tests to help them understand how cerebral palsy (CP) develops in children and affects their lives. If your child’s doctor suspects that your child has CP, they may request brain imaging tests to help them correctly diagnose the condition. A pediatric neurologist,... Read More

Some birth deliveries don’t go as planned and require other measures be taken to ensure the mother and baby are safe and healthy throughout the entire birthing experience. One of these measures is a vacuum-assisted delivery. While rare, this type of procedure can cause harm to the baby, with one of the potential risks being... Read More

Labor and delivery complications can have a long-term impact on the lives of both the child and mother. Many complications can impact the infant’s ability to obtain oxygen in the womb, depriving the brain of adequate oxygen supplies and possibly damaging it. If brain damage occurs during labor and delivery, it can cause long-term impairments... Read More

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