When to Ask If Something Went Wrong at Birth
New parents watch their babies closely. Every stretch, every kick, every grasp of a finger is a milestone in the making. So when something feels off—when a baby seems too stiff or too floppy—it can spark a deep, uneasy question: Is this normal, or is something wrong?
Difficulty with muscle control can be one of the earliest indicators of a neurological injury sustained at or around the time of birth. And in some cases, it points directly to a preventable medical mistake. At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we stand beside Oklahoma City families seeking the truth and demanding accountability when their child’s future has been altered by medical negligence.
What Muscle Control Issues Can Look Like
In infants, muscle control issues are often described as “low tone” or “high tone.” A baby with low muscle tone (hypotonia) may feel limp when held, struggle to hold their head up, or have trouble bringing their hands to their mouth. On the other end of the spectrum, high muscle tone (hypertonia) may present as rigid limbs, clenched fists, or resistance to movement.
Sometimes these issues are dismissed as “something the baby will grow out of.” But parents know when something isn’t right—and persistent abnormalities in muscle tone are often a sign of underlying neurological trauma.
That trauma may have occurred during pregnancy, but it can also result from complications during labor or delivery—especially when medical professionals fail to act in time or follow established safety protocols.
Common Causes Related to Medical Negligence
Muscle control problems can stem from a variety of injuries, but among the most common are:
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) – A lack of oxygen to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth that affects motor control centers.
Intracranial hemorrhage – Bleeding in or around the brain that damages nerves responsible for movement.
Traumatic delivery – Excessive force or delayed intervention can injure the spinal cord, brainstem, or peripheral nerves.
Untreated jaundice (kernicterus) – If bilirubin levels become toxic, they can damage areas of the brain tied to movement.
Each of these conditions can severely impair how a child moves—not just in infancy, but throughout life.
In our experience, these injuries are often linked to one preventable breakdown: medical providers who failed to monitor fetal distress, delayed a necessary C-section, or mishandled delivery complications like shoulder dystocia.
When to Seek Answers
Not every delay in muscle development is cause for alarm—but persistent signs should never be ignored. You may notice that your baby:
Cannot maintain head control by 3–4 months
Feels “floppy” or overly loose in the arms and legs
Has clenched fists or stiff limbs past the newborn stage
Shows tremors, spasms, or exaggerated reflexes
Avoids using one side of the body
As a parent, you don’t need to know the diagnosis to know something is wrong. If your concerns are dismissed or downplayed, that’s even more reason to get a second opinion—and explore whether your child’s condition could have been prevented.
Our Role: Fighting for Answers, Justice, and Your Child’s Future
At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we dedicate our practice to catastrophic birth injuries—and we limit the number of cases we take so we can focus on each child’s story with the care it deserves.
When we investigate a case involving muscle control problems in an infant, we collaborate with top pediatric neurologists, neuroradiologists, and life care planners. We review every piece of medical documentation, from fetal monitoring strips to NICU records, to determine whether negligence played a role.
If it did, we build a case for the full value of what was taken: your child’s potential, your family’s stability, and your right to answers.
We fight for compensation that covers not just past medical bills, but also long-term therapies, assistive devices, home care, special education, and future lost income. In Oklahoma City and beyond, we also fight for something even bigger—healthcare accountability.
What to Do If You Suspect a Birth Injury
If your baby is struggling with muscle control and you suspect something went wrong during labor or delivery, here’s how to start:
Document your concerns.
Record videos of the symptoms, note missed milestones, and keep copies of doctor’s visits.Get a neurological evaluation.
Ask your pediatrician for a referral to a specialist who can assess muscle tone and order imaging or testing.Contact a birth injury attorney.
A trusted legal team can investigate whether negligence occurred and whether you may have a claim.
There is no cost to speak with us. Our initial consultations are completely confidential, and we’ll give you an honest, compassionate assessment of your situation.
Because Muscle Control Isn’t Just About Movement—It’s About Quality of Life
A baby’s ability to move, explore, and engage with the world shapes every aspect of their development. When muscle control issues are the result of medical errors, families deserve more than a diagnosis. They deserve justice.
If your child is facing these challenges, you are not alone—and you don’t have to fight for answers on your own.
We’re here to help Oklahoma City families uncover the truth and pursue the compensation their children need to thrive.
Let us put our experience, our resolve, and our compassion to work for your family.
