As an expecting mother in Pennsylvania, you have hopes that your child will be healthy and safe before, during and after delivery. Unfortunately, even with modern medicine, there are some risks involved in any pregnancy. Today, we will take a look at one of those risks: shoulder dystocia.
Mayo Clinic states that shoulder dystocia is a result of the baby’s shoulder getting stuck behind your pelvic bone during labor. Certain risk factors can increase the chances of the baby getting stuck, including whether or not you have diabetes, if you have given birth to a child who also suffered from shoulder dystocia, or if your baby weighs 11 pounds or more.
Generally speaking, doctors are supposed to check all of the potential risk factors that could affect a pregnancy so that things like shoulder dystocia can be prevented well in advance.
There are also certain ways in which a baby suffering from shoulder dystocia should be moved. If a member of the medical staff overseeing your care moves the child improperly, it could result in damage to the nerves of the shoulder, neck or arm, resulting in issues like Erb’s palsy.
While doctors are trained in how to handle cases of shoulder dystocia safely, they are still human and mistakes may be made. Unfortunately, just one wrong move in a situation like this could mean the difference between a safe delivery and an ongoing battle with nerve and muscle damage.
If your child was affected by shoulder dystocia at birth and you believe the situation was mishandled by medical professionals, consider contacting an attorney for information on how to proceed with seeking compensation.
