The most serious injuries cause damage to the infant’s brain. Brain damage, traumatic brain injury, seizures and mental retardation may be the result.

These brain injuries are caused by oxygen deprivation or bleeding inside the brain from trauma during pregnancy, labor or delivery.

Mistakes made by medical professionals during the delivery process may cause brain damage. For example, a delay in performing a necessary C-section delivery, complication with a VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section) delivery – such as uterine rupture, use of excessive force during the delivery or failure to properly calculate the size of the baby

There are other circumstances where oxygen deprivation occurs during the labor and delivery process leading to brain damage. For example the umbilical cord can become compressed or twisted in the birth process; the baby is too large to pass through the birth canal easily; or the baby is breach or sideways in the womb.