Understanding Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a serious childbirth complication that occurs when one or both of a baby’s shoulders become stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery. This can happen when the baby’s head has been delivered but the shoulders are too large.
When shoulder dystocia occurs, it poses significant risks to both the mother and baby. For the baby, the most immediate concerns include oxygen deprivation, brain injury, and damage to the brachial plexus, which can result in temporary or permanent loss of arm movement. For the mother, the condition can cause severe bleeding and tearing.
Although this medical emergency can happen unexpectedly, there are risk factors that medical providers should recognize and monitor. If your newborn experienced this complication and you believe the incident could have been prevented, it’s critical that you contact our Chicago birth injury lawyers to learn your legal options.
Shoulder Dystocia Risk Factors
Preventing a birth injury is not always possible; however, recognizing some of the risks that can increase the potential of a birth injury gives doctors a way to plan accordingly. As an expecting parent, you should also know what risks are present to request help with the situation.
While macrosomia (when the baby’s birth weight is higher than normal) can lead to shoulder dystocia, there are also risks associated with the mother that can increase the possibility of this birth injury. Here are some maternal risks factors you should know.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a condition that can increase the chances of macrosomia, or delivering a larger baby. Babies with macrosomia are more prone to getting stuck during delivery. Managing blood sugar levels during pregnancy is crucial in reducing this risk.
Advanced Maternal Age
As a woman’s age increases, so does the risk of complications during labor and delivery, including shoulder dystocia. Advanced maternal age is also associated with a higher chance of having a larger baby. Careful monitoring and planning are necessary in these cases.
Excessive Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Gaining a lot of weight during pregnancy can contribute to the risk of shoulder dystocia, even in women who were not previously obese. Significant weight gain can lead to a larger baby, which increases the chances of the baby’s shoulders becoming lodged during delivery. Medical providers should support and educate expectant mothers about healthy weight gain during pregnancy.
Existing Obesity
Existing obesity can also increase the potential risks of a birth injury like shoulder dystocia. This is associated with medical problems that the mother may already have, such as diabetes—which can increase the risk as well.
Short Stature or Small Pelvic Opening
When a mother is of short stature or has a small pelvic opening, the risk of shoulder dystocia is greater. These factors can make it more difficult to deliver a baby vaginally, as the baby’s shoulders may struggle to pass through the pelvis.
Previous Pregnancy Involving Shoulder Dystocia
If the mother had a previous pregnancy in which the baby was larger and shoulder dystocia occurred, it increases the risk of the condition happening again. This may also be associated with pregnancies that go beyond the due date, increasing the possibility of the baby being larger.
Induced Labor or Epidural
Some of the medications doctors use for epidurals or labor induction can cause problems, including increasing the chance of shoulder dystocia occurring. If your doctor insists on using any of these methods, you have the right to refuse them.
Preventative Measures and Monitoring
Given the factors above, it’s important for mothers and healthcare providers to implement preventive measures and monitoring techniques, to minimize the risks and complications associated with shoulder dystocia. These include the following.
Diet and Exercise During Pregnancy
Maintaining a balanced diet and exercising during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of complications like shoulder dystocia. A healthy lifestyle helps manage weight gain and lowers the chances of having a larger baby.
Ultrasound and Fetal Monitoring
Regular ultrasounds and monitoring of the baby’s size and position throughout the pregnancy are essential in preparing for the possibility of shoulder dystocia. By tracking these factors, doctors can better assess the risk and make informed decisions about the safest method for delivery.
Planned C-Section
For mothers with high-risk factors for shoulder dystocia, such as those with gestational diabetes or a history of shoulder dystocia in previous pregnancies, a planned C-Section delivery may be recommended. This preventative measure can avoid the risks associated with shoulder dystocia and ensure a safer delivery for both mother and baby.
Contact Our Chicago Birth Injury Lawyers Today
Our advocates at Beam Legal Team are committed to helping mothers after shoulder dystocia. Whether your baby is harmed, or you suffer injuries as a result, we want to look into what actions (or inactions) stemmed from a medical professional to help you understand your rights.
You can count on our Chicago birth injury lawyers to be by your side the entire time, helping you obtain the important information you need to move forward. We’ll pursue the compensation you need for medical treatment, and hold the negligent party accountable for their actions.
Originally published October 29, 2019.
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