A birth is a joyous occasion, but what happens when your baby’s shoulder gets stuck during the delivery? Shoulder dystocia is a common cause of injuries that could seriously harm your baby as well as produce emotional suffering and long-term financial challenges for your family.
When this complication arises and the doctors manage it improperly, you may have a case for medical malpractice. Learn more about shoulder dystocia and its role in birth injuries and when to take legal action from the experienced team at Soloff & Zervanos Personal Injury Attorneys.
If your baby experienced shoulder dystocia during birth, excessive traction or pressure on their head and neck could injure their brachial plexus, which is the network of nerves that controls arm and hand movement. Damage to the brachial plexus is the most common, and nerve damage could lead to temporary or permanent weakness or paralysis to one or both of your baby’s arms. These conditions are called Erb’s palsy or Klumpke’s palsy. It may also result in Horner’s syndrome, a condition that affects the nerves of the face and eyes.
You must act swiftly when dealing with shoulder dystocia, and if your obstetrician does not recognize or address the issue quickly, their oversight could lead to severe problems. If the doctor incorrectly used excessive force to dislodge your child’s shoulder, they may have caused fractures to the collarbone or upper arm bone. While it may be necessary to intentionally fracture the clavicle to deliver a baby suffering from shoulder dystocia, most qualified physicians consider this maneuver a last resort.
During delivery, shoulder dystocia increases the risk of damage from asphyxia, or a lack of oxygen. This medically critical circumstance is most common when your baby’s head is delivered, but the shoulders are caught in the birth canal. Therefore, the oxygen supply to your baby’s brain may be compromised, causing long-term neurological disorders, such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or cerebral palsy.
There are several factors, such as a large baby or a mother’s small pelvis, that could lead to shoulder dystocia and not allow the child to move through the birth canal. The baby’s position may be a factor, as is prolonged labor that leads to weak contractions. Mothers with gestational diabetes are also at higher risk of having a shoulder dystocia birth, which their care provider should be aware of and prepare for to avoid injuries caused by this condition.
Birth injuries are devastating for families, and obstetricians should have an appropriate plan to manage the situation when it occurs. If your baby suffered a shoulder dystocia-related birth injury, reach out to us at Soloff & Zervanos Personal Injury Attorneys.
We could help you understand shoulder dystocia and its role in birth injuries and your legal options while determining if medical negligence is a contributing factor to your child’s injury. Our legal team could help you file a claim for the compensation your family deserves for your baby’s ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.
