If your baby didn’t cry at birth and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, HIE, or another condition, it’s possible medical negligence was involved. You may be able to file a Houston birth injury lawsuit and recover damages.
A baby crying is unsettling to hear. But there’s one moment where everyone wants to hear a baby cry—at birth! Why do babies cry when they’re born? Is it a bad thing if they don’t cry? Below, we’ll answer those questions, and provide possible reasons why some babies don’t cry at birth.
Common Reasons Why Some Babies Don’t Cry at Birth
Hearing a baby cry after birth is a reassuring sign that they’re breathing and adjusting to life outside the womb. But when that cry is absent, it can raise concerns. Here are some common reasons why a baby might not cry right away:
Normal, non-emergency causes:
- A smooth or rapid delivery that didn’t cause discomfort
- The baby is calm and content, especially if placed on the mother’s chest immediately after birth
- Sedation from maternal pain medications may cause the baby to be drowsy or slow to react
Temporary breathing issues:
- Fluid or mucus in the baby’s nose or mouth may block airways and delay crying
- Suctioning often resolves this and allows the baby to cry
Possible complications:
- Difficult or prolonged labor can affect a baby’s responsiveness
- Oxygen deprivation (birth asphyxia) may prevent the baby from crying due to breathing difficulty
- Umbilical cord issues, such as the cord wrapped around the baby’s neck, can reduce oxygen supply
- Serious conditions like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) or cerebral palsy can stem from birth complications and often begin with a lack of oxygen at birth
Doctors are trained to assess a baby’s condition using tools like the Apgar score, which measures breathing, heart rate, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color. If the baby scores low and isn’t crying, further evaluation and immediate treatment may be necessary.If your baby didn’t cry at birth and you’re concerned there may have been a delay or mistake during delivery, you may benefit from speaking with a HIE birth injury attorney in Houston. Call Hampton & King at (713) 489-0993 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
In summary, the reasons for babies not crying at birth can be benign. But they can also be serious. Babies that don’t cry due to a serious birth injury or congenital condition need medical intervention right away.
Babies With Birth Asphyxia May Not Cry After Birth
Birth asphyxia, or a lack of oxygen, can cause a baby to not cry at birth. This is because the baby is having trouble breathing. Birth asphyxia can stem from many birth complications, including meconium aspiration, placental insufficiency, and umbilical cord problems.
Birth asphyxia is one of the major causes of infant mortality. It can lead to lifelong conditions such as:
- Cerebral palsy
- Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- Developmental delays
- Motor function impairments
- Behavioral and emotional challenges
- Hearing and vision loss
- Epilepsy
- Intellectual disabilities
If birth asphyxia is suspected or confirmed, doctors should work quickly to restore oxygen supply to the baby’s brain and vital organs. This may involve measures such as:
- Providing oxygen therapy
- Assisting with ventilation
- Administering medications
- Therapeutic hypothermia to reduce the risk of brain injury.
Common Treatments
When a newborn doesn’t cry after delivery, medical professionals respond quickly to determine the cause and provide appropriate care. In many cases, only mild intervention is needed. If fluid or mucus is obstructing the airway, a doctor may gently suction the baby’s nose and mouth to help them breathe and cry.
If more stimulation is needed, rubbing the baby’s back or gently tapping their feet may encourage a response. But when a baby shows more serious signs, like a low heart rate or poor oxygen levels, additional support becomes necessary.
Some babies require supplemental oxygen or assisted ventilation through a CPAP machine or ventilator. In critical cases, neonatal resuscitation may involve chest compressions or emergency medication. If birth asphyxia is suspected, the care team may initiate therapeutic hypothermia – a cooling treatment that can help protect the brain from further damage.
Babies needing extended monitoring are often admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where they receive specialized support. Early intervention services may also be recommended to track developmental progress and provide therapies as needed.If you believe your child’s condition was caused by delayed or negligent care during delivery, Hampton & King can help investigate. Call (713) 489-0993 today or complete our simple online form to schedule your free case review.
Why Do Babies Cry When They Are Born?
Most babies cry at birth because they’re suddenly taken out of their warm, dark, cozy den into a cold, noisy, foreign place. It’s similar to being startled from slumber by a bucket of cold water poured over your head and heavy metal blasting on nearby speakers. If it happened to you, you might cry, too!
So that’s one of the reasons why babies cry at birth. Here’s another: sometimes babies need a bit of stimulation to take their first breath. The neonatal staff might massage their skin to do this. This unexpected stimulation can cause them to cry.
What if a Baby Doesn’t Cry at Birth?
“Oh, he’s got some good lungs!” That’s the go-to joke when doctors hear a baby break into a wail after leaving the womb. There’s some truth to it.
A baby crying at birth is a sign that his lungs are healthy. However, if a baby doesn’t cry at birth, it doesn’t necessarily mean something’s wrong with his lungs. If the baby’s heart rate is normal and he’s breathing correctly, it’s ok if he doesn’t cry.
Also, not crying isn’t always a red flag that the baby is ill. It could be that the baby’s cry is delayed because of some fluid stuck in the nose or mouth. Suctioning the fluid out usually results in crying.
On the other hand, a lack of crying plus any additional warning signs is cause for alarm. Those warning signs could include:
- A low Apgar score (a test to measure the baby’s overall health)
- Abnormal pulse
- Blue or grayish skin color
- Poor muscle tone
- Abnormal heart rate
The Apgar score is a quick test performed on a newborn at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to evaluate their overall physical condition and determine if immediate medical care is needed. The name “Apgar” is both a backronym and a tribute to Dr. Virginia Apgar, who developed the scoring system in 1952.
What APGAR Stands For:
- A – Appearance (skin color)
- P – Pulse (heart rate)
- G – Grimace (reflexes and response to stimulation)
- A – Activity (muscle tone)
- R – Respiration (breathing effort)
While the Apgar score is helpful for quickly assessing a baby’s condition, it’s not meant to predict long-term health outcomes. It’s one of several tools doctors use to guide early care in the delivery room.
Should I Contact a Houston Medical Malpractice Attorney?
If you suspect foul play, the first step you should take is to call an attorney. Our top-rated Houston medical malpratice lawyers can help you determine if you have a case. If evidence of malpractice is found, you may be eligible for compensation. A settlement or court award can cover your child’s hospital bills, future medical needs, and more. Ready to take that first step? Contact our experts for a free consultation.