P15: Other birth injuries

P15.4: Birth injury to face

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, along with the narrow birth canal, can cause injuries to the child’s face. But injuries can also occur with a Caesarean or when a forceps or vacuum cup are used.

The child’s face can suffer various injuries during the birth. For example, the blood flow in the head may get held up for a while. The child’s face may then look red or swollen.