During childbirth, mothers and infants depend on the expertise of physicians and nurses in the hospital room. Unfortunately, complications can arise during the delivery of a newborn. Shoulder dystocia is one such development in which a baby’s shoulders become lodged in the birth canal. Medical staff must act quickly to address the condition, or the baby can suffer long-term physical injury.
If shoulder dystocia during delivery harmed you or a family member, our Michigan shoulder dystocia lawyer could investigate the facts and pursue damages. Nobody expects childbirth to lead to lasting harm to a child or mother. When medical negligence causes injury, you should consult our experienced birth injury attorneys at Thurswell Law as soon as you can.
What Is Shoulder Dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia is a childbirth complication that occurs when an infant’s head emerges through the birth canal, but the shoulders catch behind the mother’s pubic bone. This blockage prevents the baby from passing cleanly through the birth canal. Considered to be a delivery room emergency, shoulder dystocia requires obstetricians to perform appropriate maneuvers for the baby’s protection quickly. Doctors should know to look for the “turtle” sign, where the infant tucks its head back into the birth canal instead of moving forward. Generally, if a minute passes after the baby’s head emerges with no further movement, obstetricians need to take swift action.
Treating physicians must act quickly to dislodge the infant’s shoulders from the obstruction and ensure a safe delivery. Prompt and effective treatment of shoulder dystocia can prevent serious injuries to the child. However, if the medical team fails to implement the proper maneuvers quickly, the baby can suffer harm, such as:
Injuries to either the child or the mother can range from minor to severe. Sadly, some injuries from shoulder dystocia can be lifelong and debilitating. If negligent treatment of shoulder dystocia resulted in the injury of a child, our Michigan attorneys could investigate and determine who is liable for damages.
Common Causes of Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is somewhat rare, affecting about two to three percent of births. There is no definitive way to predict shoulder dystocia issues, but certain risk factors increase the odds of this issue occurring. Fetal weight is one of the main risk factors to consider. The higher an infant’s weight, the higher the risk they face of shoulder dystocia happening during labor.
Other risk factors that could influence shoulder dystocia include:
- The infant’s size
- Delivery after the child’s due date
- Whether the mother is obese
- Whether the mother has diabetes
- Whether the mother is carrying twins
- Whether the mother’s prior deliveries involved shoulder dystocia
Recognizing risk factors and preparing for the possibility of birth issues is critical to managing care for the mother and child. In some cases, doctors might plan for a caesarean delivery when certain risk factors are present or combined. Failure to recognize risks and prepare for potential issues can constitute malpractice in some cases. Our skilled Michigan attorneys with experience in cases involving obstructed shoulders in labor could investigate further.
Contact Our Shoulder Dystocia Attorneys in Michigan To Learn More
Shoulder dystocia can lead to devastating long-term injuries for the child if not treated promptly and with proper care. When medical negligence leads to painful childbirth complications, a dedicated Michigan shoulder dystocia lawyer could seek the financial compensation your family deserves. Experience gets results in complicated birth injury cases. Our attorneys could help you understand your rights and determine whether you have a case. Call us at Thurswell Law now to schedule a free consultation.
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