The birth of a child is one of the happiest moments in a parent’s life, but what happens when it goes wrong? Every expectant mother knows how important prenatal care is to ensure that she and her unborn child are healthy. However, even when this is taken care of, there is still the risk of a birth injury when the time comes for the baby to make his or her arrival into the world. That risk can increase when a baby is born outside of a hospital setting.

According to statistics, the state of Tennessee is considered to be around 93% rural. With so many small towns and communities in the state, an increasing number of mothers choose to birth their children at home rather than going to a hospital a couple of hours away. However, selecting this option does mean it is essential to weigh up the potential risk of birth injury if labor does not go as planned.

Although most women will choose to have a midwife in attendance during a home birth, this is only recommended in low-risk pregnancies. Although a midwife will have training in things like CPR, administering oxygen, controlling bleeding, and so on, they may not have access to more advanced tools in a rural area if something goes wrong during delivery, and that could lead to a birth injury.

What Leads to Birth Injuries During Home Births

Some of the most common complications that can result in birth injury during a home birth include:

  • Breech Births - Babies in the breech position may become stuck in the birth canal
  • Stillbirth - With no monitoring equipment on hand, this may not be noticed until birth
  • Delayed Treatment - As noted, there may be no access to advanced treatment without traveling to the hospital

Of course, even in a hospital setting, things can go wrong, and birth injuries can occur. Doctors, Midwives, Nurses, and other health professionals can make mistakes that result in injuries. This can happen both in a hospital setting and during a home birth.

Of course, choosing where you will give birth is a deeply personal choice to make, and many women have home births that go exactly as planned. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and perhaps come up with a backup plan in the event of anything going wrong. Discuss your options with your healthcare provider and decide what the best option is for your family.

Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 865-637-3531.

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