Taking care of a newborn is not an easy thing. From the moment you learn that you are expecting to the time you give birth, you have to be wary of every move you make to ensure your baby is healthy and safe when they come into this world. However, no matter how cautious you are, sometimes your baby may be harmed by factors outside your control. While you can watch your health during pregnancy and ensure you breathe enough to get through your labor, you cannot control who handles your baby’s birth and if some doctor’s negligence results in a birth injury.
Sometimes, your child may never fully recover from this trauma and depend on you for life. So if you happen to be in this unsavory situation, there are still ways to care for your baby. These are as follows:
1. Contact The Relevant Legal Bodies
Medical negligence cases give you the grounds to file a lawsuit. These cases violate the ethics and code of conduct that doctors swear to abide by. There are many ways your child can get injured at birth. As a mother, if you’re denied oxygen, not given the proper support to assume the birthing position efficiently, and if your baby is recklessly delivered with sharp tools and unnecessary force, all of these can result in your baby getting injured.
One of the most common birth injuries is cerebral palsy. This degenerative motor disease impacts how your child balances or coordinates muscle movement. The only person who can help you out is a cerebral palsy lawyer who understands these cases. Every birth injury is specific. While some can go away within a few days, others stay for life. If your child falls in the latter group, the compensation you receive from your court case can give you the resources you need to care for your baby. It includes suitable financial damages that can help you connect with good therapists and doctors who can help you look after your child.
2. Stay In Contact With The Doctor
Don’t try home remedies or attempt to resolve birth injury problems on your own. While seeing your child in pain may be distressing, you need the right expertise to care for them. A doctor can help you understand what your child is going through, identify the condition and underline the causes of this outcome. Your healthcare provider has the necessary tools to help your child’s condition further.
An X-ray or an ultrasound can inform you better about what you may be dealing with and what you need to do. Make sure you follow all their instructions, including the medication your child may need, ways to reduce the pain, and how to recognize warning signs of distress. This helps you intervene on time, save the condition from escalating to a dangerous level, and save yourself a trip to the ER.
3. Look Into Therapists
Specific ailments like cerebral palsy require your child to undergo intense physical and occupational therapy. It helps them gain some form of control over their limbs and also helps in improving their coordination. While you may assume your child is far too young to go through these treatments, that’s not the case. Early detection and treatment can prevent the condition from settling and harming your baby further.
Early intervention is the key to your baby’s well-being. For example, one of the side effects of having cerebral palsy is trouble swallowing. Your baby may drool and have difficulty drinking milk or latching, only to let go after a few seconds. A physical therapist can help your child gain control over their mouth muscles and encourage active stimulation. This includes exercising your baby’s jaw, allowing them to swallow right, and guiding the extra saliva where to go. As your child gets older, they will appreciate early physical therapy. Since this allows them to become flexible, comprehend how their nervous system functions, and respond accordingly to carry out the desired action.
4. Take Care Of Yourself
Learning about your child’s condition is not easy for any parent. You may feel yourself get stressed and plagued with worry thinking about your baby. Consequently, you may start pushing your well-being into the backseat and focus entirely on your child. There’s no denying that your baby needs you, but neglecting your health for the sake of theirs is not the way to go. Taking care of your baby is a two-way street. It would help if you were as active and in shape to provide optimal support to your little one. So ensure you eat well, attend all your appointments, and get yourself regularly evaluated. The way you handle your anxiety impacts your child.
You cannot provide the care and love they need if you struggle to maintain your health. If you feel burdened by your thoughts, look into a counselor and get your mental health sorted. This is especially helpful for parents who feel guilty about their child’s ailments. Certain mothers may blame themselves for not being vigilant enough during their baby’s delivery, which resulted in their injury. The guilt and shame only add to your trouble and don’t allow you to care for your baby.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with post-birth can be a significant source of pain for many parents. Like any mother, it’s natural to hope your baby’s delivery and birth will be smooth. But sometimes factors like your declining health and a negligent medical staff can add to your problems. As a result, your baby may develop health conditions that need lifelong attention and care with minimal signs of improvement.
If you’re going through this situation, know you’re not helpless. There are institutes in place that are willing to help you and care for your baby. This includes legal bodies like lawyers, physical and occupational therapists, and capable doctors who can guide you and help you get your dues. Lastly, in caring for your child, don’t neglect your health and blame yourself for your baby’s current predicament.
