Birth asphyxia is a result of a baby not receiving enough oxygen before, during, or right after birth. If not treated immediately to ensure that the baby receives sufficient oxygen it can lead to severe injury and can endanger life. In mild to moderate cases, babies can fully recover. However, in serious cases where immediate treatment is not provided, birth asphyxia can cause permanent brain and organ damage or be fatal. The severity of the injury depends upon how long the baby does not get enough oxygen, the level of oxygen and how quickly the right treatment is receieved. The most common risk factors leading to birth asphyxia are infections to the mother, multiple births, such as delivering twins, premature births, preeclampsia or eclampsia and abnormal position of the fetus during delivery. Causes of birth asphyxia include: long and difficult deliveries, problems with the umbilical cord during delivery, the placenta separating from the womb too soon, high or low blood pressure in the mother, anemia – where the baby’s blood cells doesn’t carry enough oxygen, the baby’s airway being blocked.