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5 situations that may put newborns at risk

On Behalf of | Jun 21, 2019 | Uncategorized

Few life events are more exciting than welcoming a new baby to the world. While you have hundreds of tasks you must accomplish before the birth of your son or daughter, you must do what you can to promote a healthy environment. 

There are many ways to ensure your infant has a healthy experience inside the womb. Unfortunately, there are also a few ways babies sustain injuries during birth. Here are five situations that may increase the chances of birth injuries for newborn babies

1. Misshapen pelvis 

As an expectant mother, you can likely do several things to improve your labor and delivery. You probably cannot, however, change the shape and size of your pelvis. If you have cephalopelvic disproportion and try to deliver your new baby vaginally, you may be asking for trouble. 

2. Premature babies 

Gone are the days when only the rare premature baby survived. In fact, if your baby can make it to 24 weeks before coming into the world, he or she has a good chance of both surviving and thriving. Nonetheless, your physician must diligently care for a premature baby to reduce health risks. 

3. Oversize babies 

As with babies who are abnormally small, large infants may have a greater likelihood of developing a birth injury. If your baby weighs more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces, you should ask your doctor about steps you can take to ensure your infant’s overall health. 

4. Long labor 

Labor is not only stressful for mothers, but it is also challenging for new babies. Put simply, the longer labor lasts, the higher the odds your child has of sustaining an injury during the birth process. 

5. Improper positioning 

Finally, if babies approach the birth process in an improper position, they have a higher risk of sustaining some type of injury. For example, when an infant is in the breech position, an injury to his or her arms, legs, neck or head may occur. Fortunately, doctors receive extensive training on how both to detect and prevent improper positioning during birth. 

Most babies born in the United States leave the hospital without incident. Still, because birth injuries occasionally happen, you must understand your infant’s risk. If you have concerns, ask your doctor to help you alleviate them. 

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