A lot of parents who come to our firm have questions regarding a birth injury, especially regarding whether or not the condition was preventable. One of these conditions is shoulder dystocia, a condition in which the infant’s shoulders lodge in the pelvic area during delivery. This usually occurs when the baby is much larger than the birth canal.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the only cause. There are some situations in which the doctor delivering the baby does something that causes unneeded stress on the baby’s neck or shoulders. Shoulder dystocia is preventable in circumstances such as these.
The doctor may pull the baby out from the face, head, or feet — depending on the baby’s position — and they can all result in stress on the extremities of the baby. These are preventable actions as the doctor may use too much pressure or force on the baby’s body.
There are other causes for shoulder dystocia, but again, they can be prevented with proper monitoring during the pregnancy. For some situations, the mother may need a cesarean section. If monitoring is not done correctly, the doctor may fail to go with this option in a timely manner.
Our Baltimore birth injury attorneys at The Law Office of Snyder & Snyder, P.A. know that shoulder dystocia is a serious condition, but we also know it is preventable. The doctor must provide reasonable care to their patients and if the mother and / or baby suffers because of their negligence or inaction, we work to hold the medical professional accountable.
You can trust that we know what it takes to handle birth injury claims related to shoulder dystocia. If you or someone you know has a baby suffering from a condition after enduring shoulder dystocia during labor, call our firm today to discuss your rights and options. We are here to help you from start to finish.
Related Stories: