Childbirth carries risk, but some complications are predictable. When medical professionals fail to anticipate or respond to them correctly, the consequences can follow a child for life.
Shoulder dystocia is one of those complications. It occurs when, after the baby’s head is delivered, one or both shoulders become lodged behind the mother’s pelvic bone. It’s an obstetric emergency that requires immediate, skilled intervention. When it’s handled correctly, outcomes are often good. When it isn’t, the results can be devastating.
What Can Go Wrong
The danger of shoulder dystocia lies in the narrow window for response. If the baby’s shoulders cannot be freed quickly, the umbilical cord can become compressed, cutting off oxygen to the brain. Every second matters.
There are also risks in how the delivery team responds. Applying excessive traction—pulling too hard on the baby’s head or neck—can cause serious injuries, including:
- Brachial plexus injuries: Damage to the network of nerves controlling movement and sensation in the arm.
- Erb’s palsy: A form of brachial plexus injury, can result in permanent weakness or paralysis of the arm.
- Clavicle or humerus fractures: Broken bones in the shoulder or upper arm.
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): Brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation during a prolonged delivery.
When Shoulder Dystocia Becomes Malpractice
Not every case of shoulder dystocia is the result of negligence. But medical professionals are trained to identify risk factors in advance, including gestational diabetes, fetal macrosomia (a larger-than-average baby), and a mother’s prior history of difficult deliveries.
Part of this training is also to have a response plan ready. If they don’t, malpractice may occur when:
- A care team fails to recognize warning signs before delivery;
- Is unprepared to execute established emergency maneuvers;
- Applies excessive force that injures the baby; or
- Delays action long enough to cause oxygen deprivation.
What Long-Term Consequences Look Like
Injuries from a mismanaged shoulder dystocia delivery can affect a child’s entire life. This includes limiting mobility, requiring ongoing therapy and surgeries, and in the most serious cases, causing permanent neurological damage. The financial and emotional toll on families is immeasurable.
If your child was injured during delivery, you deserve answers—and potentially, compensation. The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your birth injury claim. If medical negligence during delivery harmed your child, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 944-4373 so I can evaluate your case right away.
