Shoulder Dystocia

Arizona Birth Injury Attorney Serving Phoenix, Tucson, Chandler, Yuma & Glendale

Shoulder dystocia is a complication that may arise during childbirth wherein the infant’s shoulder becomes lodged against the mother’s pubic bone, and the infant is caught up in the birth canal. Shoulder dystocia is more common in large infants or when a woman has a smaller birth canal that will inhibit the infant from passing safely through. Depending on the case, shoulder dystocia may be related to a doctor’s delay in performing a c-section, improper use of forceps or a vacuum extractor, or other forms of medical malpractice.

Shoulder dystocia may be related to Erb’s palsy, when the infant’s shoulder is caught and the brachial plexus (a bundle of nerves extending from the spine and through the shoulder and arm) is stretched or damaged. It may also be related to brain injuries resulting from a lack of oxygen during delivery.

Medical Malpractice and Shoulder Dystocia Lawyer

When shoulder dystocia occurs, the doctor should act quickly to remedy the situation. This may be accomplished by physically maneuvering the baby to free the shoulder from behind the pubic bone.  If improper force is applied in the process the baby may be injured during these manipulations and suffer from nerve damage in the neck or shoulder, or a broken collar bone or arm. An episiotomy may be performed, wherein the doctor makes an incision to widen the opening of the vagina. It is important to note that these techniques should only be used when there is time enough to do so.  If significant fetal distress is present, and emergency C-section should be performed.  If there is time to carefully attempt these manipulations but they fail to produce a safe vaginal birth despite the doctor’s best efforts, the baby should be delivered by C-section.

If you believe that a doctor acted negligently in any way in diagnosing or treating shoulder dystocia, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Arizona birth injury lawyer David H. Cluff can talk to you about the case and conduct a review of the matter in order to determine the viability of your claim.   

For a free initial consultation, contact Arizona shoulder dystocia attorney David Cluff today.