Birth asphyxia is a serious issue that affects many babies each year. It is the result of oxygen deprivation in the baby immediately before birth. If your baby was born with this condition, he or she may not have been breathing or may have struggled to breathe on his or her own at birth. Some of these cases are minor, but many are serious issues that have long-term health effects for the baby. If your child was born with this condition, you can take a few steps to better care for your child.
Educate Yourself
Everything from mental impairment to autism has been linked to birth asphyxia. As a parent, it is vital that you understand the long-term implications of this condition. You also need to know what caused this issue at birth. For example, if the condition was caused by a medical malpractice issue, you may be able to sue the medical team for damages. This can help you to pay for your child’s care and treatment in the years to come.
As you are discussing things over with a lawyer, though, make sure that you are doing your research. You need to know how much money should be compensated to you for the care of your child. You need to thoroughly evaluate your child’s future and how the injury could possibly take its toll and make life more expensive. If you can get an estimate on those figures, then you will have a better argument in court for how much the medical team should give you.
Seek Support
Bringing a healthy baby home can be emotionally grueling for new parents. This is because it is a whole new experience and not every baby is the same. Each has to learn the basics of what it takes to function as a human being, such as learning what his or her sleeping pattern will be.
For parents who have infants that aren’t healthy, though, the adjustment process to motherhood and fatherhood and can take its toll. This is because when your infant has health issues that require even greater attention and care, you understandably can feel the weight of the situation on your shoulders. Seek support from family and friends. You may also ask your pediatrician for helpful resources that you can rely on if your baby has serious complications from birth asphyxia. Such resources are a great help to those who need to feel that they are not alone. After all, there are tons of parents out there who have just had a baby and are dealing with the complications of an injury or other special needs situations.
Obtain Excellent Pediatric Care
Some of the long-term effects associated with birth asphyxia may not be known for several months or years after birth. Regular pediatric care from a well-trained and experienced doctor can help to identify these possible conditions. Through early identification, early treatment can begin. This can help your child to enjoy the best possible outcome and may potentially improve his or her quality of life.
If you let an injury set and fail to get treatment during those vital early stages of life, this can mess with the infant’s muscles, body structure, and overall ability to function. However, don’t expect everything to be fixed at once. After all, this injury may still have affects for years to come. Knowing this, you should be prepared to have your child go through physical therapy, get necessary operation, and see many specialists throughout the course of his or her’s first few years of life. It will be worth it, though. All you have to do is find the right pediatrician. Get connected with those in your area who have experienced similar birth injuries with their children and ask about the pediatricians that they would recommend. Then, pick the one that you feel right about and start taking your child there. Yet, you know your child best, and so don’t be afraid to switch doctors if you feel that there is a need to do so.
Consult With a Lawyer
Medical expenses and costs for related care may be high after you have a child who is born with birth asphyxia. Some parents may need to quit their job and stay home with their baby to provide proper care as needed. The combination of these factors can be financially draining on a family. If someone was at fault for causing your child to end up with birth asphyxia, you may be able to seek legal assistance for the birth injury. Funds obtained through a lawsuit can be used to pay for the care your child needs.
It is best for parents to begin to take action immediately after their child is born with this condition. Each of these tips offers true benefits for the family, so take time today to explore these tips more carefully. By doing so, you can better care for your family and prepare for the future.