Shoulder dystocia is a rare but serious complication that can occur during childbirth, often causing concern for parents. If your baby experiences shoulder dystocia, you may be concerned whether your future pregnancies are at greater risk of encountering the same complication.
Learn what shoulder dystocia is and its potential risks, the likelihood of it recurring in subsequent pregnancies, and how to mitigate the risks with the help of your healthcare provider.
What Is Shoulder Dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia is a potential childbirth complication where one or both of a baby’s shoulders can remain stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone after the head has already emerged. It can make delivery difficult and potentially dangerous for both mother and baby, requiring quick intervention like the McRoberts maneuver to free the shoulder.
Risks associated with shoulder dystocia include injury to the baby—such as broken bones, nerve damage, or oxygen deprivation—or even death if the delivery is prolonged. For the mother, there can be excessive bleeding, tearing, or uterine damage.
Is There a Greater Chance of Recurrence?
If shoulder dystocia occurred in a previous birth, there is a greater chance of recurrence in subsequent deliveries. Shoulder dystocia affects between .15 and 2% of vaginal delivery births, though the risk can vary depending on individual factors like birth weight and maternal health.
However, the average recurrence rate is around 7.2%, or nearly 10 times higher than in the general population. Your healthcare provider can help assess your risk level for future pregnancies.
Various factors can influence your risk of recurring shoulder dystocia, including:
- Birth Weight: Babies born weighing between 5 lbs. 8oz. and 8 lbs. 13 oz. have a 6% to 1.4% chance of shoulder dystocia, while babies weighing more than 8 lbs. 13 oz. face a 5% to 9% chance.
- Maternal Height: Studies have shown the mother’s height can increase the risk of recurring shoulder dystocia. Shorter mothers may be more likely to experience the same birth injury in subsequent deliveries.
- Maternal Diabetes: Research shows that mothers who are diagnosed with diabetes before or during the pregnancy have an increased risk of encountering shoulder dystocia at delivery.
- Operative Vaginal Delivery: Using tools like forceps or a vacuum during vaginal delivery can increase the recurrence risk, especially if these methods were needed in the previous birth.
Manage Future Pregnancies After Shoulder Dystocia
After experiencing shoulder dystocia in a previous pregnancy, managing future pregnancies is essential. Your healthcare provider may recommend additional monitoring and personalized delivery plans to minimize risks. With proper guidance and proactive measures, you can increase the chances of a safe delivery for you and your baby.
Discuss the Risks With Your Healthcare Provider
Your healthcare provider can assess your specific risk factors and work with you to develop to lower the likelihood of shoulder dystocia recurrence. Consider discussing these important points with your healthcare team:
- Closer Monitoring of Baby’s Size: Discuss regular ultrasounds and prenatal check-ups with your provider to closely monitor your baby’s growth. Address any concerns about size early, especially if your baby is projected to be larger than average.
- Gestational Diabetes Management: If you develop gestational diabetes, ask about strategies for controlling blood sugar levels to help prevent excessive fetal growth, which can be a risk factor in shoulder dystocia cases.
- Planned Cesarean Section: Ask about a planned cesarean section, especially if there’s concern about potential complications during vaginal birth due to shoulder dystocia.
- Labor Induction Considerations: Explore the risks and benefits of labor induction with your provider. Request an evaluation to determine if induction increases your risk of shoulder dystocia.
- Delivery Techniques: Ask your healthcare team about safe delivery techniques, such as the McRoberts maneuver, which can resolve up to 42% of shoulder dystocia cases without additional interventions.
Get Legal Support from Shoulder Dystocia Lawyers
Determining whether medical negligence played a role in your shoulder dystocia case requires careful investigation.
For example, healthcare providers are expected to use specific maneuvers, like the McRoberts maneuver, and monitor known risk factors closely. If your healthcare team failed to take appropriate steps to prevent or address shoulder dystocia, this may be grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Our Chicago shoulder dystocia lawyers can provide valuable guidance by investigating whether caregivers correctly assessed your risk factors, used medical tools appropriately, or delayed necessary interventions. If you believe your baby was harmed due to medical negligence during delivery, reach out to one of our experienced lawyers for a confidential, free consultation.
