What You Can Do to Prevent Birth Injuries

Welcoming a new baby should be a joyful experience, but birth injuries can turn that excitement into worry. While not every injury can be prevented, many steps can lower the risk for both the baby and the parent.

Families can help create a safer birth experience through informed choices and close collaboration with providers. Understanding risk factors and staying proactive throughout pregnancy and delivery is a key part of prevention.

If you ever face complications, having a dedicated birth trauma attorney for birth injury cases can help you navigate the legal side of things. However, the primary focus should always be on prevention and communication with your medical team.

Prioritize Prenatal Care

Regular prenatal checkups are the foundation of birth injury prevention. As a result of these visits, your doctor will be able to keep tabs on the health of both you and your baby, manage any medical conditions, and catch potential complications early.

Prenatal tests can identify issues like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and abnormal fetal positions. When these risks are recognized and managed promptly, the chance of birth injuries drops significantly.

Communicate Medical History and Symptoms

Always tell your healthcare provider about any existing conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or autoimmune disorders. This information helps your doctor anticipate possible complications and personalize your care plan to your needs.

Open communication is crucial, especially if you notice changes like decreased fetal movement, abnormal bleeding, or unusual pain during pregnancy or labor.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Another important stage is taking care of your body throughout pregnancy. You should eat a well-balanced diet high in calcium and protein, stay hydrated, and, if your doctor advises it, take prenatal vitamins.

Frequent, mild exercise can improve general health and get your body ready for childbirth. It’s also critical to get enough sleep because exhaustion might raise the chance of childbirth difficulties.

Monitor and Prepare for Labor

During labor, continuous monitoring of the baby’s heart rate and vital signs helps detect signs of fetal distress, such as oxygen deprivation. If complications arise, your medical team should be ready to intervene, whether that means changing positions, using specific tools, or performing a C-section when necessary.

Be sure to discuss your preferences with your doctor in advance, and consider creating a birth plan to outline your wishes.

Protect Maternal Health

Preventing birth injuries isn’t just about the baby. Strengthening pelvic muscles with daily exercises, practicing perineal massage from 35 weeks, and using warm compresses before labor can help reduce the likelihood of tears and other injuries to the parent. Breathing techniques and staying active during labor can also support a smoother delivery.

Bottom Line

Regular medical care, good habits, open communication, and labor preparation are all critical in preventing delivery accidents. By being informed and collaborating closely with your healthcare team, you and your unborn child can contribute to the safest environment possible. Keep in mind that while it is impossible to eradicate every danger, these actions can have a significant impact.