Shoulder dystocia occurs unexpectedly during a normal or an instrumental birth. It’s when the baby’s shoulders become stuck behind the mother’s pelvis/pubic bone, preventing the birth of the baby’s body.
During a normal birth, there is usually a brief delay between the birth of a baby’s head and the body, but with shoulder dystocia, the delay is longer. The baby cannot start breathing without its body being born. When shoulder dystocia occurs, the baby’s chest is still compressed in the mother’s pelvis. When this occurs, the shoulders need to be released so that the baby’s body can be born and the baby can start breathing. Shoulder dystocia and the manner in which physicians care for the mother and baby may lead to medical malpractice and legal issues.
Shoulder dystocia occurs in about 1-2% of births and is frequently not possible to identify before it happens. Some factors that may indicate a greater likelihood of shoulder dystocia during birth are diabetes, induction of labor, larger babies, history of shoulder dystocia in previous births or a slow labor. Unfortunately, in most cases, shoulder dystocia cannot be prevented. It’s important for mothers to be aware that during every birth, there is a risk of shoulder dystocia.
If shoulder dystocia occurs during a child’s birth, the obstetrician will reposition the mother and try different methods to release the baby’s shoulders and allow for a safe birth. After the birth, both mother and child will be monitored carefully.
If shoulder dystocia happens during your child’s birth, there are a few consequences to be aware of:
- Nerve damage in the neck may occur (Brachial plexus injury). During the time where the shoulders are stuck behind the mother’s pelvis, the baby’s cervical nerve roots (nerves from the spinal cord) may become damaged. This injury may cause paralysis to the arm, but most frequently, the loss of movement is temporary.
- Brain damage: During the birth, if the baby’s head is born and the body isn’t, without oxygen, the baby can’t breathe and there is risk of brain damage.
It’s important for all mothers to be aware of shoulder dystocia. For more information about medical malpractice please follow this blog and read other posts related to medical malpractice issues.