What Is Shoulder Dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia happens when a baby is being born and the head has surfaced but the shoulder is blocked by the mother’s pelvic bone, preventing complete delivery without specialized assistance. This can cause paralysis, brain damage, permanent disabilities, and other serious birth injuries if the rest of the delivery is not handled with extreme caution.
Is Shoulder Dystocia the Doctor’s Fault?
If handled improperly, painful and damaging complications may ensue for the mother and baby during the rest of the delivery, such as:
- Nerve damage to the baby
- Cerebral palsy or other palsies
- Broken bones in the infant’s arm, neck, or shoulder
- Postpartum hemorrhaging
- Bladder damages or bruises
- Uterine or vaginal tears
- Perineal lacerations
It may not necessarily be the doctor’s fault that shoulder dystocia occurred (unless they knew the baby was too large to be born vaginally or had reasonable proof that shoulder dystocia was likely). However, the disastrous effects listed above typically occur when the doctor in question is not appropriately monitoring the mother during birth, fails to make the decision to perform a C-section in time, or otherwise fails to preserve the health and safety of the mother and child.
Philadelphia Birth Injury Lawyers Serving Injured Children & their Families for 35+ Years
Connect with a member of our team at Golomb Legal, P.C. right away if you and/or your child were harmed because your doctor inappropriately handled your instance of shoulder dystocia. Our firm can provide the advocacy and wise counsel you need during this time, and we can help you cover the costs of your negligence-inflicted injuries and damages.
Call (215) 278-4449 or contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a Philadelphia birth injury attorney.