Expecting a baby is one of life's greatest pleasure. Parents all over the world look forward to it, anxiously awaiting the very moment they can lay their weary eyes upon their little one. .
In some cases, though, unexpected difficulties and challenges occur along the way. Some newborns are considered high risk. This means that a newborn has a greater chance of complications because of conditions that occur during fetal development, pregnancy conditions of the mother, or problems that may occur during labor and birth. Some complications are unexpected and may occur without warning. Other times, there are certain risk factors that make problems more likely.
Fortunately, advances in technology have helped improve the care of sick newborns. Under the care of specialized physicians and other healthcare providers, babies have much greater chances for surviving and getting better today than ever before.
Some of the complications we will be discussing are the following:.
• Birth Injuries/Trauma .
Occasionally during the birth process, the baby may suffer a physical injury that is simply the result of being born. This is sometimes called birth trauma or birth injury. .
Causes of birth injuries:.
Many birth injuries occur because of the baby's size or the position of the baby during labor and delivery. Conditions that may be associated with a birth injury include:.
1. large babies - birth weight over about 4,000 grams (8 pounds, 13 ounces) .
2. prematurity - babies born before 37 weeks (premature babies have more fragile bodies and may be more easily injured) .
3. cephalopelvic disproportion - the size and shape of the mother's pelvis is not adequate for the baby to be born vaginally .
4. dystocia - difficult labor or childbirth .
5. prolonged labor .
6. abnormal birthing presentation - such as breech (buttocks first) delivery .
Some common birth injuries include:.
Caput succedaneum: Caput is a severe swelling of the soft tissues of the baby's scalp that develops as the baby travels through the birth canal.
