P12: Birth injury to scalp

P12.3: Bruising of scalp due to birth injury

The child is subjected to great pressure during a vaginal birth. This pressure is necessary for the child to be born through the pelvis and the vagina. The pressure, plus the narrow birth canal, can pinch the child’s scalp, for example. The scalp can also get pinched if a vacuum cup or forceps are used. Pinching can cause a wound on the child’s scalp.