Cerebral palsy occurs when the brain is damaged near the time of birth or around the time of delivery.the best prevention requires good prenatal care, careful monitoring during labor and fast response at any indication of fetal distress. As scary as this can be, especially at such a fragile time, medical professionals are on hand and monitoring your baby. Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. Since infants do little more than feed & cuddle we must wait until they are a little older to begin showing abnormalities of muscle tone & difficult ... Cerebral palsy is a term used to label a child who has a static encephalopathy. And, if you feel you have been a victim of medical negligence, you may want to consider making a compensation claim. A c-section, for example, may be warranted. Do not use herbal remedies or alternative medicines that are not approved by your doctor. Any use of this website is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Disclaimer. How to Prevent Cerebral Palsy . As the exact cause behind this condition is unknown, it cannot be prevented. (Bilirubin is a brown substance made when the older red blood cells break down. Some of the risk factors for conge… In some cases, Cerebral Palsy cannot be prevented. Erb's Palsy Lawyer: What Cases Do Erb's Paly Attorneys Handle. There is a greater likelihood that a child will be born with Cerebral Palsy if it is determined there is blood incompatibility with the father of the child, or with the fetus. And, know the policies and practices of the hospital you are likely to deliver in, or go to for emergency care. 121, Novi, Michigan 48375 (USA). What procedures do they use if the baby gets stuck in the birth canal? Maintaining a healthy pregnancy is crucial in doing the latter, helping to protect your child from infections and injury. Cerebral palsy risk increases with the number of babies sharing the uterus. How responsive and trained is the physician network that owns and operates the emergency care, versus the hospital administration. But it is to say that a parent that is aware of the known risks are able to express concerns as they may arise or occur. If these risks can be resolved or addressed, the likelihood that a child will be born, and remain, healthy increases. Cerebral Palsy is the most common childhood motor disability. Acquired cerebral palsy– About 10 percent of children with cerebral palsy acquire it after birth due to brain injuries that occur during the first two years of life. Whether it be maintaining a healthy weight, having regular appointments with your doctor, stopping smoking, or getting vaccinated, there are all sorts of things that you can do throughout your pregnancy to reduce the risk of your baby being diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Be sure to talk to your doctors about what to do to prevent any infections being exposed to them. Avoid exposure to known tetragens like kitty litter, cleaning products and lawn fertilizers that cause risk. Maintain a Healthy Weight All rights reserved. Premature birth. Smoking will increase your risk of having a premature birth, which will result in low birth weight, another risk factor for developing cerebral palsy. Also, factor in plenty of proteins and vegetables as well as fruits and other healthy foods. Make sure that you follow your doctor’s advice and get your recommended intake of 400mcg of folic acid, helping to prevent birth defects and premature birth. We use cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics purposes. Prevention. How does a doctor diagnose cerebral palsy? When do they make a decision for c-sections? Scheduled ultrasounds and other checks on a child’s health leading up to birth helps physicians identify, and treat, accordingly. Under circumstances where the mother has a sexually transmitted disease, a health condition that affects the placenta, history of high risk pregnancies or deliveries, or an infection, physicians should take extra precautions while monitoring the pregnancy and while delivering the baby. With that in mind, here are 4 ways to prevent cerebral palsy during pregnancy. The attorney responsible for this Website is Kenneth A. Stern of the law firm, Stern Law, PLLC,  Cerebral palsy is generally caused by illness, viral infection, premature birth, birth complications or physical injury. For example, decreased muscle tone (hypotonia) in infancy can change into increased muscle tone (hypertonia) in later childhood. I understand and agree to the "Terms & Conditions. Of all of the professionals a parent is likely to encounter during a pregnancy, two individuals that will have the largest impact on whether or not a child has Cerebral Palsy are the mother and her OBGYN. Stay away from second-hand smoke. Cerebral palsy is a disease that keeps people from being able to control their muscles. What choices do they make if a fetus or mother’s health is in danger? Blood compatibility testing, for example can indicate risk. Additionally, an expectant mother with a thyroid condition warrants high-risk prenatal care. To help prevent cerebral palsy, doctors encourage pregnant women to get regular prenatal care beginning as early as possible during the pregnancy. This is especially true if she and her physicians address warning signs and detect genetic predispositions. Cerebral palsy therapy should be tailored to reflect these changing demands. Maintain a healthy weight and eat a healthy diet prior to pregnancy. Also, risks occur after a child is born that could lead to a child acquiring the condition. The most common causes of such injuries are brain infections, such as meningitis , and head injuries. If a child is conceived through assisted reproductive technology, or IRT. Ultimately, a couple planning to start a family may wish to consult with their respective physicians for a pre-conception appointment. For more information on the topic, consult with a medical professional. Additionally, eating lots of nutrients helps you provide proper nutrition for your growing baby. The earlier a baby is born, the greater the cerebral palsy risk. Do not provide confidential information. Do they monitor fetal heart beat? In many cases, the specific cause is not known.Some things increase the chance that a child will have CP. The most common causes of such injuries are brain infections, such as meningitis , and head injuries. While a cerebral palsy diagnosis can be scary, the condition can be managed and prevented too. Planning a family, or learning of pregnancy, can be an exciting time. A woman who is Rh-negative may not have complications in a first pregnancy, but subsequent pregnancies can be negatively affected by incompatibility. Any information you provide will only be used in accordance with our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Disclaimer. Refrain from drinking or smoking during pregnancy. If you plan to become pregnant, make sure you're building your meals around lean proteins an… Being at a healthy weight when you get pregnant may help reduce your baby's risk of developing cerebral palsy. When this gets into the blood stream it can affect parts of the brain (especially in the development stage). Also good pregnancy management, avoiding medications or substances that might cause premature delivery or might harm the fetus. If you have a child with cerebral palsy, ensuring they’re well looked after and supported can be challenging, making it incredibly important to get all the help you can. Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood, and children with CP and their families need support. located at 41850 West Eleven Mile Rd., Ste. It is important for expectant mothers to know the factors associated with a higher risk of cerebral palsy. Ask them about the risks associated with the procedure, ask about the alternative measures available, and ask how many times they have successfully or unsuccessfully performed the procedure. Make sure to incorporate plenty of vitamins and nutrients into your diet, ensuring your growing baby is receiving proper nutrition. In general, cerebral palsy causes impaired movement associated with abnormal reflexes, floppiness or rigidity of the limbs and trunk, abnormal posture, involuntary movements, unsteady walking, or some combination of the… Eat right and exercise (to the extent advised by a physician). Head injuries that take place during vehicle accidents can cause Cerebral Palsy. That’s not to say that if a child is born with Cerebral Palsy, it is a mother’s fault – it’s not because most cases are not preventable. This is because the bilirubin will break down in the child’s body. Babies born fewer than 28 weeks into the pregnancy are at higher risk of cerebral palsy. Being incredibly aware, attentive and ensuring that your baby is receiving proper care and treatment are the best ways to avoid head trauma. By taking the proper precautions, as well as following an instructions given by your doctor or specialist. The healthier a mother is the greater the likelihood that a child will be born healthy. Of course, the best course of action would be to completely avoid the diagnosis and have a healthy baby! Barcan+Kirby have decades of experience in dealing with complex birth injury claims, such as cerebral palsy, so getting the right help and support can make a huge difference. On the part of expectant mothers and physicians, there are some measures that when implemented can reduce the likelihood that a child will be born with Cerebral Palsy. In some cases, Cerebral Palsy cannot be prevented. Stern Law, PLLC. If you are pregnant and have risk factors for premature birth, then try to reduce your risk however you can. Learn the health risks to possibly prevent cerebral palsy! Cerebral Palsy and Sleep Disorders. Are they an A, B, or C listed entity? There are many risks directly after birth that could cause Cerebral Palsy. Avoid massage during pregnancy. With that in mind, here are 4 ways to prevent cerebral palsy during pregnancy. In most cases when Cerebral Palsy has an early detection  and is not severe a child can live a fairly normal life. Regular exercise can also be another great way to maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy. There is an established link between infections and risk that determine timing of treatment and effectiveness at managing the risk during labor and delivery. Although the medical community is learning more about how to prevent Cerebral Palsy every day, the greatest chance of preventing Cerebral Palsy exists when awareness on causes and needs is common. With premature birth being one of the biggest risk factors for developing cerebral palsy, having regular appointments and addressing any concerns you have is crucial. These are called risk factors. We all know how important it is to stop smoking, especially during pregnancy. Good prenatal care: Cerebral palsy occurs when the brain is damaged near the time of birth or around the time of delivery.the best prevention requires good prenatal care, careful monitoring during labor and fast response at any indication of fetal distress. If you need assistance and guidance, there are plenty of online resources that you can use on how to pack your habit in for good. We are asking our website visitors to consent to the use of cookies by HealthTap to continue to our website. While you do have to keep in mind that every case of Cerebral Palsy will be different and have a unique group of risk factors associated with each diagnosis, there are a few risks that you need to be aware of right before or shortly after having a baby to ensure they are as healthy as they can possibly be! Place your child’s care in worthy hands.