Around six in every 1,000 children born in the U.S. experience a serious birth injury, which can result in anything from fractured bones to neurological or developmental disorders. Some of these injuries are minor and heal alone, but others can result in a child having complex needs and require 24/7 care.
If you have experienced a traumatic birth, know that feeling scared, confused, disappointed and angry is to be expected. Once you are ready, it is important to embrace key strategies for overcoming a traumatic birth and ensuring your child has all they need to feel empowered and independent.
Knowing The Cause Of The Birth Injuries
Some conditions – for instance, cerebral palsy (CP), the most common motor disability in children – can have various different causes. For instance, CP that is related to genetics is not preventable. However, CP does sometimes arise from medical malpractice. This is the case, for instance, when a doctor fails to resuscitate a child in time, fails to detect and properly treat an infection, or fails to perform a medically advisable cesarean section.
If you suspect your child’s birth trauma was preventable and was caused by medical negligence, make sure to see a legal specialist in birth trauma. You may be entitled to compensation that will ensure your child can access the very best treatment throughout their lifetime.
Joining Networks
Whether your child has CP or any other long-term effects of birth injuries, joining a network made up of other parents of children with your child’s condition is very helpful. There are many online forums and networks in which parents discuss everything from novel treatments right through to good professionals in one’s local area.
Interacting with other parents will also enable you to advocate for your children’s rights, taking steps to ask local and federal governments for key changes that will improve your child’s health, wellbeing, and access to treatment and therapy.
Seeking Therapy
A traumatic birth can affect your closest relationships in many ways. It may lead to conflict with your partner as both of you try to negotiate the labyrinth of decisions and the barrage of information that comes your way. It can also affect friends and family who minimize your pain (this is known as ‘sanctuary trauma’, and it occurs when those you thought you could most count on let you down).
A professional therapist can help you achieve both short-term and long-term goals. They can accompany you through your grief and help you find practical strategies to slowly find your sense of bearing and rise to the challenges of being a new mother.
Around six in every 1,000 babies born experience birth trauma. Sometimes, their health issues resolve on their own, and in little time. At other times, however, trauma has long-term consequences that require legal assistance, network support, and (in some cases) professional therapy.
