Shoulder dystociaoccurs when a baby’s head has been delivered, but one or both shoulders become stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone. This is a dangerous situation that requires immediate medical intervention.
Shoulder dystocia has several risk factors that your doctor should warn you about. Some cannot be controlled, but others can in advance. If a doctor ignores the risk factors and doesn’t prepare for shoulder dystocia, your baby could be harmed, and you may have a malpractice lawsuit.
Find out if you do by contacting the Connecticut birth injury lawyer to speak with a lawyer in your state who knows about shoulder dystocia and its long-term effects. All initial consultations are free and confidential.
Common Risk Factors for Shoulder Dystocia
Having these risk factors does not mean your child will have shoulder dystocia; it only raises the chances. If you have these, speak with your doctor about your concerns to bring them to their attention. They can take extra precautions.
Maternal Risk Factors
Let’s first look at the risk factors in the mother that could cause shoulder dystocia:
- Gestational Diabetes: Mothers with gestational diabetes have a higher risk of delivering larger babies, which increases the chance of shoulder dystocia.
- Maternal Obesity: A BMI of 30 or higher before pregnancy can increase the risk of birth complications, including shoulder dystocia.
- Short Maternal Stature: Women who are 5’2″ or shorter may have a higher risk due to potentially smaller pelvic dimensions.
- Post-Term Pregnancy: Pregnancies that go beyond 42 weeks have an increased risk of shoulder dystocia.
- Previous Shoulder Dystocia: If shoulder dystocia happened in one of your previous deliveries, you’re at higher risk in subsequent pregnancies.
Fetal Risk Factors
Now, let’s look at the risk factors that the baby causes:
- Macrosomia: This term refers to a larger-than-average baby, typically weighing more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces (4,000 grams). Macrosomia significantly increases the risk of shoulder dystocia.
- Male Gender: Male babies are statistically more likely to experience shoulder dystocia than female babies.
- Abnormal Fetal Position: Certain fetal positions, such as occiput posterior (where the baby is facing the mother’s abdomen), can increase the risk.
Labor and Delivery Risk Factors
There are also risk factors for shoulder dystocia associated with the labor and delivery process:
- Prolonged Second Stage of Labor: If the pushing stage of labor lasts longer than usual, it may increase the risk of shoulder dystocia.
- Instrumental Delivery: The use of forceps or vacuum extraction during delivery can sometimes contribute to shoulder dystocia.
- Induction of Labor: In some cases, inducing labor may increase the risk, especially if the baby is large.
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How Can These Risk Factors Be Managed?
Proper management of these risk factors can reduce the chances of shoulder dystocia. One of the most important things is to attend all of your prenatal appointments to check your and the baby’s health. If you have gestational diabetes or are obese, try to manage these.
A large baby is one of the biggest risk factors for shoulder dystocia. If you have other risk factors, the doctor may order an ultrasound to check the size of your baby as it grows. If your baby gets too large, you may need a C-section to avoid shoulder dystocia.
What If My Doctor Failed to Recognize or Manage These Risk Factors?
Healthcare providers have a duty to identify and manage risk factors for birth complications like shoulder dystocia. If your doctor failed to:
- Screen for gestational diabetes
- Properly estimate fetal weight
- Discuss the risks associated with your pregnancy
- Develop an appropriate delivery plan based on known risk factors
…and this failure led to shoulder dystocia and subsequent birth injuries like Erb’s Palsy or cerebral palsy, it might be considered medical negligence. Our infant shoulder dystocia lawyers can confirm this and help you start a lawsuit against your medical providers.
If you’re pregnant and concerned about your risk for shoulder dystocia:
- Discuss Your Concerns: Talk openly with your healthcare provider about any risk factors you may have.
- Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask about management strategies for your specific situation.
- Follow Medical Advice: Adhere to recommendations for managing risk factors like gestational diabetes or excessive weight gain.
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How Can Birth Injury Lawyers Group Help?
If you experienced shoulder dystocia during your child’s birth and believe it was due to mismanaged risk factors, we’re here to help. Birth Injury Lawyers Group can connect you to a lawyer in your state who can:
- Review your medical records to identify any signs of negligence
- Consult with medical experts to understand if proper protocols were followed
- Explain your legal rights and potential for compensation
- Guide you through the process of filing a claim if appropriate
Understanding the risk factors for shoulder dystocia can help you prevent a tragedy. If your baby experienced shoulder dystocia and suspect it was due to mismanaged risk factors, we’re here to help. Contact Birth Injury Lawyers Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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