Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia happens when a baby gets stuck in the birth canal. If the baby’s shoulder is stuck on the mother’s pelvis during delivery, that’s known as shoulder dystocia. This complication can happen during delivery, and all labor and delivery doctors should know how to appropriately respond to shoulder dystocia safely and competently. If shoulder dystocia occurs as a result of medical negligence, or if a doctor does not appropriately respond to the complication, the baby’s life is put in danger. In addition to potentially threatening the safety and wellbeing of both mother and baby, a preventable birth injury can leave babies with lifelong health consequences. If your child has suffered from a birth injury related to shoulder dystocia, you need to contact a personal injury attorney with proven birth injury case experience as soon as possible.
Risk Factors for Shoulder Dystocia
While there are many different risk factors associated with shoulder dystocia, the complication can arise in just about any case. Women who have abnormally small pelvises or who are carrying late-term babies are at a higher risk. Maternal obesity and gestational diabetes can also increase the risk for shoulder dystocia. In addition to other various risk factors are an unusually long or difficult labor. No matter what the risk factors associated are, doctors need to be ready to respond to this complication safely and swiftly. All medical guidelines for handling shoulder dystocia should be followed to the letter. If doctors don’t provide safe and medically accepted interventions to complications of delivery, the lives of mothers and babies are put at risk.
Complications Associated with Shoulder Dystocia
A variety of complications are associated with a baby who suffers from shoulder dystocia. Depending upon how long the baby is stuck, and how long he or she goes without appropriate medical intervention, you could be looking at oxygen deficiency, which could lead to permanent brain damage. Additionally, it’s possible for babies to suffer from nerve damage that can be mild, moderate or severe where there is full paralysis of a limb. Brachial plexus palsy, cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, Klumpke’s palsy and severe neurological damage are all potential complications of shoulder dystocia. It’s also dangerous for the mother and can lead to post-delivery hemorrhage, and possibly death to mother, baby or both. Listed below are some potential complications of shoulder dystocia.
Potential Complications of Shoulder Dystocia
- Oxygen deficiency
- Temporary nerve damage
- Permanent neurological damage
- Paralysis
- Cerebral palsy
- Brachial plexus
- Erb’s Palsy
- Klumpke’s Palsy
- Post delivery hemorrhage
- Death
Historical Danger of
Rh-ABO Incompatibility
Early detection of Rh incompatibility is essential for healthy outcomes for mothers and babies, and subsequent children. Failing to detect and treat immediately can spell tragedies for families and their future pregnancies. In years past, Rh-ABO incompatibility would have meant certain death for babies. While ABO incompatibility isn’t as dangerous, it can still put babies at risk for developing jaundice, and in rare cases, serious life-threatening conditions. Now, we have the ability to test for these conditions. We can offer preventative treatment and help to ensure healthy outcomes for mothers and babies. Parents are counting on their prenatal healthcare providers to ensure all appropriate tests are given at the appropriate times. Negligence in prenatal care can have long-lasting impacts not just on the first pregnancy, mother and baby, but on any subsequent pregnancies as well.
Jackson Shoulder Dystocia Lawyer
Preventable medical errors in the delivery room can leave babies and their families with lifelong consequences. Expenses for the first year alone can be exorbitant. Since cases involving medical negligence and malpractice can be lengthy and complex, it’s important to have a personal injury lawyer on your side with proven birth injury case experience. A personal injury attorney can be your advocate and help to ensure you get the compensation you deserve to cover necessary medical expenses for your baby.
If your child suffered from a birth injury related to shoulder dystocia in a hospital in the Jackson Metro Area or in any of the surrounding communities, contact the experienced birth injury case team at Coxwell & Associates, PLLC at (601) 265-7766for a free case consultation today.
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