A placental abruption is a condition that develops when the placenta peels away from the uterus during the term of the pregnancy. Depending on the location of the abruption… more »
Yes. A placental abruption (or simply referred to as an “abruption”) is a complication that develops when the placenta pulls away from the wall of the uterus before… more »
Erb’s palsy (also known as brachial palsy, brachial plexus birth injury, Erb-Duchenne Palsy, Dejerine-Kumpke Palsy) is the paralysis of the upper brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a… more »
Group B Strep infections can be particularly scary for expectant mothers because anyone, even healthy mothers, can carry GBS and may not even display any symptoms. Group B… more »
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a condition where a newborn breathes meconium (newborn’s first stools – thick, sticky, greenish-black color) and amniotic fluid into the lungs before, during, or… more »
A placental abruption is a condition that develops when the placenta peels away from the uterus during the term of the pregnancy. Depending on the location of the abruption and the degree to which the placenta has pulled away from the uterus, hemorrhaging commonly develops. The bleeding related to a placental abruption poses challenges for both mother and baby… more »
Yes. A placental abruption (or simply referred to as an “abruption”) is a complication that develops when the placenta pulls away from the wall of the uterus before the delivery of the baby. When the placenta separates itself from the uterus, hemorrhaging may result in the mother and the loss of vital oxygen and nutrients to… more »
As with cerebral palsy, it can be difficult to determine if your newborn suffered a brain injury. This is because oftentimes symptoms will not be apparent until the child is around four to five years of age. This is because doctors often need to see your child move to check coordination and motor skills as well as… more »
Erb’s palsy (also known as brachial palsy, brachial plexus birth injury, Erb-Duchenne Palsy, Dejerine-Kumpke Palsy) is the paralysis of the upper brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a large network of nerves that send signals from the spine to the shoulder/arm/hand (diagram). If these nerves are damaged, it can cause the arm to be paralyzed, lack of… more »
Group B Strep infections can be particularly scary for expectant mothers because anyone, even healthy mothers, can carry GBS and may not even display any symptoms. Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae, group B strep, or GBS) is a gram-positive streptococcal bacterium commonly found in the intestines and lower genital tract. In adults, it is usually harmless, but… more »
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a condition where a newborn breathes meconium (newborn’s first stools – thick, sticky, greenish-black color) and amniotic fluid into the lungs before, during, or after delivery. When a baby is under stress or not receiving enough oxygen or blood, the baby can pass feces while still in the uterus. Once this happens, the… more »
Early signs of cerebral palsy may be present from birth. Most children with cerebral palsy are diagnosed during the first 2 years of life. But if a child’s symptoms are mild, it can be difficult for a doctor to make a reliable diagnosis before the age of 4 or 5. Nevertheless, if a doctor suspects cerebral palsy, he or… more »
Great debate has ensued in the medical community concerning what can be done to reduce the incidence of shoulder injuries sustained by babies during the delivery process. Collectively referred to as: shoulder dystocia, Erb’s Palsy or brachial plexus injuries, this type of birth injury is sustained when the child’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone during vaginal… more »
Cerebral palsy related to genetic abnormalities is not preventable, but a few of the risk factors for congenital cerebral palsy can be managed or avoided. For example, rubella, or German measles, is preventable if women are vaccinated against the disease before becoming pregnant. Rh incompatibilities can also be managed early in pregnancy. But there are still risk factors that can’t be… more »
Just as there are particular types of brain damage that cause cerebral palsy, there are also certain medical conditions or events that can happen during pregnancy and delivery that will increase a baby’s risk of being born with cerebral palsy. Research scientists have examined thousands of expectant mothers, followed them through childbirth, and monitored their children’s early neurological development… more »
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy is a condition in which the brain does not receive enough oxygen, which can occur during a difficult labor and delivery. The consequences can be severe and can include life-long complications. When a baby is deprived of oxygen during labor and delivery for over a five-minute period of time they can suffer from many types of… more »
Placenta previa refers to a condition when the placenta is too close to the uterine wall and partially or totally covers the cervix. The placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to the baby during pregnancy and is attached to the umbilical cord. In addition to providing nutrients, it also removes waste products from the baby’s blood. Symptoms of placenta previa include vaginal… more »
In 0.5% of all labors, mothers experience antepartum hemorrhage, otherwise known as excessive vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. There are two main causes of the complication: placental previa which accounts for 31% of obstetric hemorrhages and placenta abruption which accounts for 22%. Placental previa is a condition in which the placenta is attached too close to the uterine wall and covers… more »
An obstetric hemorrhage is when a woman bleeds heavily during pregnancy, labor, or post-delivery. The bleeding is typically vaginal, but in some very rare cases there can be internal bleeding directly into the abdominal cavity. There are two types of obstetrical hemorrhage: antepartum hemorrhage and postpartum hemorrhage. An antepartum hemorrhage refers to bleeding in early pregnancy, late pregnancy, and during… more »
A uterine rupture is a tear in the wall of the uterus. Accounting for ninety percent of all cases, uterine rupture is most common among mothers who have had a previous cesarean section. During contractions the extra stress can cause the previous incision scar tissue to expand and stretch, and can eventually stretch thin enough to give way. However,… more »
Inducing labor can not only pose a threat to the mother, but to the baby as well. There are various methods of inducing labor, the most common being the use of Pitocin, a synthetic oxytocin that is delivered through an IV to help speed up labor. It works by beginning or enhancing uterine contractions While Pitocin aids in speeding up… more »
If labor is slow to progress, a doctor may suggest using the drug Pitocin to induce contractions. When given to a woman whose baby is being slow to make an entrance, the drug can speed things along. However, there can be adverse effects as well if the drug is improperly used or overused. Pitocin is a synthetic form of a… more »
Forceps are an instrument that is sometimes used in childbirth if it is a difficult delivery. When a labor becomes delayed or a baby is stuck in the birth canal and is starting to show signs of distress, a doctor may opt for a cesarean section or to use forceps. Looking like a large set of tongs, the forceps are… more »
Cerebral palsy can be caused be lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain during labor and delivery. When a child is deprived of oxygen before, during or after birth, they can face a lifetime of complications, including cerebral palsy. When a mother arrives at the hospital to deliver her baby, she should be connected to a fetal monitor.… more »
Cerebral palsy symptoms are varied depending on the severity of the case and what parts of the brain have been affected. Some cases are very mild, while others are extremely severe. Symptoms will most likely present themselves before a child is 2 years old, and can become apparent as early as 3 months. As each developmental stage passes which include… more »
There are many factors that can lead to the diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is caused by a brain abnormality or injury that usually occurs during pregnancy or a botched labor and delivery. There are several factors that can lead to problems with brain development. These include: Lack of oxygen to the baby during labor and delivery Detachment of… more »
Umbilical cord compression is a problem that can occur during labor and delivery involving the cord being under pressure, which causes the baby to receive a reduced amount of blood and nutrients. If the umbilical cord gets stretched and compressed during labor, it can lead to a decrease of blood to the baby, which results in a drop of… more »
Cerebral palsy can be caused by many factors, one of which is lack of oxygen during labor and delivery. In order to determine oxygen levels, Physicians monitor the baby’s heart rate. If a doctor sees a slowed or irregular rate they may require an emergency cesarean section. Delay in requiring a cesarean section when the baby is displaying… more »
Jaundice, or neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a straightforward medical complication that if left untreated, or treated improperly, can have a devastating consequence on the rest of an infant’s life. Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes. A yellow pigment called bilirubin builds up in the blood, causing the discoloration. Many babies who have jaundice… more »
The benefits of fetal monitoring are limited by human error. Clinicians often make mistakes in their interpretation of fetal monitoring strips. In addition, any dangerous deviations in heart rate must be diagnosed in a timely manner in order to prevent dangerous complications. It is important that clinicians have proper education and training to interpret fetal monitoring strips. Nurses often… more »
Electronic fetal monitoring (“EFM”) has helped decrease fetal and neonatal death rates by helping identify fetal distress. Fetal monitoring is intended to prevent fetal hypoxia when it starts by monitoring the fetus in the womb and identifying signs of fetal distress. Fetal distress refers to an abnormal fetal heart rate pattern that can signal oxygen deprivation. A fetus is… more »
Some children show signs of cerebral palsy soon after birth, while others can take years to display symptoms. Sometimes, doctors may not be able to make a diagnosis until the child is 4-5 years of age. In evaluating a child for CP, doctors will review the child’s medical history, check the child’s motor skills, and look for… more »
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is caused by abnormalities or injuries of the brain that may develop in utero, during delivery or immediately following birth. Rather than one particular cause for this life-changing medical complication, it is important to understand that the reasons for the development of CP may derive from a one or more of the following contributing factors. One… more »
Cytomegalovirus or CMV infection is a common viral infection and member of the herpes-virus family. In most people, CMV does not cause any symptoms, but once you are infected with CMV you are carrier for life and can go through active/dormant cycles. It is only if you are pregnant or have a compromised immune system that CMV… more »
A recently filed medical malpractice lawsuit alleges that an obstetrician’s negligence during the delivery of a baby is to blame for an injury to a child’s shoulder– known as shoulder dystocia or Erb’s Palsy. The lawsuit, brought on behalf of the minor child, alleges the doctor should have known that the baby was at an increased risk… more »
Most women experience normal, healthy pregnancies with few or no complications during delivery. However, in order to prepare yourself for pregnancy be aware of your options, it is important to educate yourself as to possible complications and have an open and honest dialogue with your doctor. It is understandable that you want to focus on the positives in having a… more »
Cephalohematoma (photos) is bleeding under the baby’s scalp, causing a bruise. This can occur as a result of pressure exerted on the baby’s head during delivery. The swollen and bruised area is usually on one side of the top of the baby’s head. There are usually no long-term complications or problems. Within a week or two, the blood… more »
Umbilical cord knots are exactly what they sound like, knots in the umbilical cord from fetal movements. There are also false knots, which are merely kinks in the cord. Risk factors for developing umbilical cord knots include: Long cord length Large fetus size Multiple fetuses Cord knots can present a problem if the knot is very tight, which… more »
Vasa previa is an obstetrical complication where the blood vessels in the placenta go under the baby and cross the cervix. As a very rare medical complication, the incidence of vasa previa ranges from 1 in 1275 to 1 in 8333 births. The cause of vasa previa is unknown. In cases where vasa previa is known, cesarean delivery… more »
An umbilical cord prolapse is where the cord enters the vagina before the baby through the open cervix. Then, as the baby is delivered, it can put pressure on the cord, cutting off blood flow and oxygen to the fetus. Risk factors include: Long cord length Premature birth Breech (foot-first) position Excess amniotic fluid Umbilical cord prolapse can create… more »
Umbilical cord cysts are outpockets in the cord that can be visualized with an ultrasound in the first trimester. There are two types of cysts: true cysts and false cysts. True cysts are lined with cells and have remnants of embryonic structures inside, whereas false cysts are just fluid-filled sacs. When large cysts occur near the umbilical cord… more »
A normal umbilical cord contains one vein and two arteries, carrying blood and oxygen to the fetus and waste products away from the fetus. In some pregnancies, the umbilical cord has only one artery instead of the usual two (photos). Single umbilical artery (SUA) is found in about 1% of single fetus pregnancies and aobut
