Getting ready to welcome a baby into your family is an exciting and nerve-racking time. As new parents, it can seem like there are just as many things that can go wrong as there are things that can go right.
As it gets closer to delivery day, the potential for a birth injury that impacts the mother, the child or both can become overwhelming. While some birth injuries are impossible to foresee, there are a few steps to ensure a safer delivery.
Here’s what you should know about preventing a birth injury and the steps you can take before delivery.
What causes birth injuries?
In most cases, there is nothing you, as a parent, can do to prevent an injury. Many parts of the birthing process can go wrong and cause a physical injury, such as:
- Prolonged labor
- Challenging skeletal structure
- Some assisted delivery techniques
- Position of the baby
When you count on a care team to support you through childbirth, you hope they will notice these dangerous situations and help you have a safer delivery. However, sometimes your team will miss something or make a mistake that causes a physical injury to you or your child.
Maintaining a healthy pregnancy
While you may not be able to prevent a birth injury, it is essential to take care of yourself while you are pregnant so that you can have the safest delivery possible. You should talk to your medical care team about what exercise is appropriate and ways to strengthen your pelvic floor to prepare you for the birthing process.