Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Nationwide
Shoulder dystocia is a preventable childbirth complication that occurs when the infant’s shoulders become stuck within the mother’s body during delivery. Shoulder dystocia can cause severe harm to mother and child alike, and the resulting birth injuries are sometimes attributable to medical negligence.
The Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys at Golomb & Honik have successfully represented numerous parents whose children suffered life-altering injuries due to the negligence of a physician or other healthcare provider.
Shoulder Dystocia Complications
Shoulder dystocia requires expert medical attention to either perform an emergency Caesarean section or maneuver the infant into proper birthing position, depending on the individual circumstances.
Lack of diagnosis or the use of improper techniques such as excessive force in attempting to correct shoulder dystocia during delivery may result in long-term—and sometimes fatal—medical complications to the child including:
- Brain damage
- Broken bones
- Erb’s palsy
- Klumpke’s paralysis, also known as Klumpke’s palsy
- Nerve damage
Mothers are also vulnerable to shoulder dystocia-related injuries including:
- Hemorrhaging
- Lacerations
- Uterine rupture
The adverse affects that may accompany shoulder dystocia can be especially devastating to parents, because the condition is often predictable and preventable.
Shoulder Dystocia Risk Factors
There are a number of factors that indicate if a pregnant woman may be at risk for shoulder dystocia during childbirth, including:
- Mother has diabetes
- Mother is obese
- Mother is carrying more than one fetus
- Mother has suffered shoulder dystocia in a previous birth
- Mother has previously given birth to large babies
In many cases, a knowledgeable obstetrician can identify a pregnant woman at risk for shoulder dystocia through a careful review of the mother’s medical history and a thorough ultrasound evaluation. That said, shoulder dystocia may also occur even when a mother presents no risk factors.
If your child suffered adverse effects of shoulder dystocia that you believe were caused by medical negligence, please contact the Philadelphia birth injury attorneys at Golomb & Honik for your free case evaluation. We welcome prospective clients from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and nationwide.
