Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia, one of the most frightening delivery room emergencies, can occur with very little
warning. This happens when the baby’s anterior shoulder gets caught against the mother’s pubic bone,
causing the child to get stuck in the middle of delivery. Because shoulder dystocia is often an unexpected
event, a doctor must be prepared to act on his or her toes to help the child.
While doctors are still debating whether shoulder dystocia is predictable or not, there are some things
that do increase the risk of this emergency event. Mothers with gestational diabetes, an abnormally
shaped pelvis, and who are overdue are more likely to have this problem. Gestational diabetes can lead
to a baby with macrosomia, or an unusually large size, which can make it too large to fit through the
birth canal. Also, labors that involve forceps or a vacuum can increase the risk for shoulder dystocia.
Potential Consequences of Shoulder Dystocia
If shoulder dystocia occurs, it can put both a baby and its mother at risk for several things. Maternal
complications include:
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Uterine rupture
- Rectovaginal fistula
- Symphyseal separation
The baby can also suffer from problems, including:
- Brachial plexus palsy
- Clavicle or humerus fracture
- Fetal hypoxia (acute lack of oxygen)
- Neurological damage due to oxygen loss
- Death
Contact Us
If a doctor fails to calmly and responsibly handle shoulder dystocia, it can result in problems for
both the mother and child, and sometimes even fetal death. Doctor negligence can cause many other damages
as well. For more information regarding birth injury,
>contact a Philadelphia birth injury attorneyat the firm of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., today at 215-238-1130.