Prima Gravida & Birth Injury Concerns

Women who have their first child are known as a prima gravida. However, women who have their first baby after 35 are known as an elderly prima gravida. Many health care professionals feel that these older, first-time mothers stand a greater risk of their child suffering from a birth injury. There are many places online that you can gain answers to your concerns about prima gravida. Many conditions can be associated with birth injuries in prima gravida women.
The University of Virginia Health System lists some of these conditions:

• Large sizes in babies - Most healthcare experts agree that a baby that weighs over 8 pounds, 13 ounces has a significant chance of having a birth injury.
• Premature babies - A baby that is born before 37 weeks is prone to be more fragile than a baby born after 37 weeks. This means that the baby may be more likely to be injured.
• A disproportion in the pelvis area - The proportions of the mother's pelvic area is not adequate for the baby to be delivered through the vaginal passage.
• Dystocia - A prima gravida may experience a difficult labor.
• Abnormally long labor - Babies that are delivered after a period of 24 hours may be a victim of a birth injury.
• Unusual baby arrival during birth - Birth injuries can occur if the baby is delivered while in an awkward position such as a breech or when the buttocks appears first.

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Standford lists common birth injuries:

• Caput succedaneum - This is the severe swelling of soft tissues on the baby's scalp. It develops as the baby moves through the birth canal; some babies may experience some bruising. However, the swelling usually disappears after a few days and is not known to cause problems afterwards. When doctors use vacuum extractions during the delivery, babies are more prone to experience this condition.
• Cephalhaematoma - This area of bleeding is between the bone and fibrous covering. Normally, it happens several hours after birth and takes the form of a raised lump on the baby's head. It may result from difficult vacuum or forceps extraction. Most cephalhaematoma cases take between 2 weeks and 3 months to disappear completely, depending on the size.
• Forceps/bruising marks - This birth injury can happen to some prima gravida mothers and their babies. There may be bruising on the face or head of the baby. This happens due to the results from passing through the birth canal. The baby may make contact with the prima gravida mother's pelvic bones and/or tissue. When doctors use forceps to extract the baby it can leave temporary bruises.
• Subconjunctival Hemorrhage - This is the breaking of small blood vessels occurring in the eyes of a baby. It can be noticeable by the baby having a bright red band located around the iris. However, it can be very common and does not cause major damage to the eyes. Usually, it will be absorbed between 7-10 days.

At Rasansky Law Firm, we are committed to being an advocate for prima gravida mothers and their child who suffers from a birth injury. If you feel that your baby has experienced a severe birth injury resulting from negligence, do not hesitate to fill out our free case evaluation form. Our birth malpractice team will gladly review the facts of your situation.  Call Rasansky Law Firm today at (214) 651-6100 and speak with one of our highly trained Dallas birth injury attorneys.