What is shoulder dystocia? This is a birth complication that happens during delivery and may leave your child with lasting symptoms.
It can have devastating consequences. If this has happened to you, an Arizona birth injury lawyer may be able to help.
Shoulder Dystocia Explained
Shoulder dystocia is a relatively rare birth complication that occurs in the delivery state of labor, and it is an obstetric emergency. The prevalence is around 1% in the general population, so we know it isn’t common, but what is shoulder dystocia in a newborn specifically?
This complication occurs when the baby’s head is delivered normally, but the shoulder becomes stuck in the birth canal, typically behind the birthing parent’s pelvis.
While there are risk factors for shoulder dystocia, it is not always possible to predict. This makes your physician’s quick identification and intervention of dystocia critical to a healthy baby. The biggest risk with this kind of complication is cord compression, which does not allow adequate oxygenation to the baby.
The often unpredictable and emergent nature of shoulder dystocia can make it difficult to determine if your physician was negligent. Many cases of this complication result in a perfectly healthy baby.
However, if your child has long-term injuries due to the complication, it may be worth it to discuss your case with a birth injury attorney who may help you determine if negligence was involved in your delivery or your child’s care.
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Risk Factors of Shoulder Dystocia
There is no definitive test physicians can give to determine if your baby will become stuck during delivery. However, research has shown a pattern of characteristics that should help your physician identify if you are at an increased risk.
Some of the risk factors for shoulder dystocia include:
- Previous deliveries with shoulder dystocia
- Delivering a large baby
- Gestational diabetes
- Poor positioning in baby
- Poor pushing position for the birthing parent
- A birthing parent with a BMI above 30 may increase risks
An additional indicator that your baby may experience shoulder dystocia can be a prolonged second stage of labor where the birthing parent is pushing for longer than is expected.
If you are concerned about your baby’s risk of shoulder dystocia, you can speak with your physician to determine what risk factors you may have and discuss your physician’s plan to manage it if it does happen.
If members of your medical team are unable or unwilling to address these concerns, it may be an indicator to seek a second opinion.
Treating Shoulder Dystocia
The actual experience of being stuck in the pelvis during delivery is not necessarily an issue, but the emergent concern is the number of other factors that may cause trouble for your baby.
The top concern in the case of shoulder dystocia is that the umbilical cord may be compressed, stopping your baby from receiving the blood and oxygen it needs.
While an excellent physician may be unable to predict shoulder dystocia, they should have a plan to quickly diagnose and treat it. According to a recent study on the management of shoulder dystocia, your physician may resolve the problem in several ways, including maneuvering the birthing parent or the baby to release them from the pelvic bone or an emergency c-section.
Your physician will likely use the HELPERR mnemonic to sequence the appropriate maneuvers and ensure the least invasive attempts are made first.
If position changes are not freeing the dystocia, your physician may resort to breaking the clavicle to free your baby to finish delivery. If this is not possible, the last resort is known as the Zavanelli maneuver, where members of your medical team will work to push your baby back up the birth canal to allow for a cesarean delivery.
The research shows that skills training in physicians improves the use of these maneuvers, including communication amongst team members, documentation, and ultimately outcomes.
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Complications of Shoulder Dystocia
Neonatal injury is seen in about 5% of cases of shoulder dystocia, according to the above-mentioned article. While that number is relatively low, the resulting injuries can be significant.
If shoulder dystocia is not quickly resolved, or the baby is subject to multiple maneuvers, they are at a higher risk of injuries, including:
- Anoxic injuries
- Brachial plexus strain
- Cerebral palsy
- Horner’s syndrome
- Broken bones
Shoulder dystocia is not inherently dangerous to the birthing parent, but you may be at increased risk of issues like postpartum hemorrhage, uterine rupture, pubic bone separation, or severe tearing.
Many of these can be life-threatening or leave you with lasting injuries and symptoms. If you or your child are suffering long-term consequences because your physician failed to prepare for or respond adequately to shoulder dystocia, you may benefit from speaking with an attorney to get the support you need.
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Call a Birth Injury Lawyer for the Compensation You Deserve
Shoulder dystocia is scary, and it can happen to anyone. When your physician is rusty in their dystocia management skills or generally unprepared to deal with that kind of emergency, it can change the trajectory of your life.
If your child experiences disability or has additional needs due to inappropriate management, this can place a significant financial strain on you and your child, and the responsible physician should be held accountable.
At the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, we offer a compassionate, experienced team to support you and your family in getting the compensation you deserve to support your child’s needs. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation and determine if your child has a case.
You do not have to fight this battle alone.
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