Birth Trauma refers to injuries to a baby or mother that can happen during birth. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the infant.
Birth stress, strain, or trauma happens on a spectrum. On the severe end, it can mean things like a fractured bone, injured nerve or brain tissue, severe hemorrhage, and more. These severe injuries are often caught at the hospital immediately after birth.
What about the infants who do not have severe injuries?
However, there are many less severe symptoms of birth stress, strain, or trauma. They can be easily missed, but can still lead to serious health complications.
Here are 10 signs or indicators that your child may have experienced birth stress, strain, or trauma. We break it down by looking at pregnancy, labor and delivery, and physical signs on your infant.
Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery
- Baby Was Breach
2. Long Pushing Phase
3. Vacuum, Forceps, Hand-Assist, or other Assisted Delivery
4. Emergency C-Section
5. Shoulder Dystocia/Infant Stuck in Birth Canal
Physical Signs on Baby
6. Feeding Difficulties
7. Head Tilt/Torticollis/Turn Preference – Is your baby always tilting or looking in one direction? Do they always have their body bent into a “C” shape?
8. Eyes/Ears/Jaw Not Aligned – No human is perfectly symmetrical! However, if your infant’s eyes, ears, and/or jaw seem like they’re not lined up, they may have more structural issues underneath that can’t be seen with the naked eye.
9. Head/Face Bruising
10. Colic Symptoms
HOW TO GET HELP
Dr. Andrew Dorough has been caring for infants for more than a decade in Missouri and Illinois. We’d love to meet your family and your little blessing. Reach out today to see how we can improve your infant’s quality of life. A happy baby makes a happy household!
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(All images: Copyright Dorough Chiropractic)
