Understanding Common Causes of Birth Injuries: Shoulder Dystocia

 Posted on September 26, 2020 in Birth Injury

Despite tireless and dedicated efforts by medical professionals to prevent them, injuries can and do occur during childbirth. Unfortunately, it is often the newborn child who suffers the most serious injuries. One of the leading causes of birth injuries is shoulder dystocia. While the term “dystocia” sounds like it could be an injury itself, it actually refers to a slow or complicated delivery in which the baby is at risk for serious physical injury.

What Is Shoulder Dystocia?

During a vaginal delivery, the baby must pass through the mother’s pelvis on its way through the birth canal. In some cases, one or both of the baby’s shoulders gets stuck against the mother’s pelvis, preventing the baby from being able to move. This condition is known as “shoulder dystocia.” Shoulder dystocia can create a dangerous situation, but in most cases, the situation can be resolved safely for both the mother and the baby.

Time Is of the Essence

It is important to understand that very little can be done, if anything, to predict shoulder dystocia or to prevent shoulder dystocia from occurring. There are certain factors that elevate the risk of shoulder dystocia, such as a large baby, a pregnancy involving twins, the induction of labor, and maternal diabetes, but these factors do not guarantee the dystocia will be a concern.

However, when shoulder dystocia does occur, the labor and delivery team must recognize the problem immediately before the baby could begin experiencing a lack of oxygen to his or her brain. Shoulder dystocia physically prevents the baby from moving down the birth canal, but it does not stop the mother’s contractions. This means that abnormal pressure to parts of the baby’s body could restrict the flow of oxygenated blood. Oxygen deprivation could, in turn, lead to conditions such as Erb’s palsy, cerebral palsy, and brain damage.

Managing Shoulder Dystocia

At the first signs of shoulder dystocia, the doctor will likely begin to make adjustments to the mother’s body positioning. The goal is to help dislodge the baby’s shoulder from the mother’s pelvis so that the baby can be delivered normally. There are other approaches that the doctor may use, as well. In some cases, however, the provider may order an emergency C-section.

If the doctor fails to order a C-section quickly enough, and the baby suffers an injury, the situation does not automatically constitute malpractice or a cause of legal action. However, if it can be shown that the doctor was negligent in either recognizing the signs of shoulder dystocia or in his or her response to the problem, the doctor could be liable for the injuries the baby sustained.

Contact a Cook County Birth Injury Attorney

Birth injuries are not always preventable, and not all such injuries will lead to the possibility of compensation. If your child has been injured at birth, however, an experienced Chicago birth injury lawyer can help you understand your available options. Call us today at 312-462-4200 to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a member of the team at Birth Injury Law Alliance.

Sources:
https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/shoulder-dystocia-unpredictable-and-unpreventable
https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/shoulder-dystocia.aspx