What is shoulder dystocia?

Answer:

Shoulder dystocia is a serious birth complication that occurs when a baby’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pubic bone during delivery, preventing the baby from passing smoothly through the birth canal. This complication happens in about 1% of all births and is more common when the mother has diabetes, obesity, or when the baby has a high birth weight (macrosomia).

Doctors may use special maneuvers and medical techniques to resolve shoulder dystocia, but the condition carries significant risks. Approximately 20% of cases result in injuries to the infant, and a similar percentage lead to maternal injuries. Potential complications include:

  • Bruising, fractures, or lacerations
  • Brachial plexus nerve damage (which may cause Erb’s palsy or Klumpke’s palsy)
  • Oxygen deprivation, which can lead to brain injury or cerebral palsy
  • Severe maternal tearing, hemorrhage, or long-term pelvic issues

The most common and concerning injury associated with shoulder dystocia is brachial plexus nerve damage, which may cause permanent impairment of the shoulder, arm, or hand. While many cases are managed appropriately, some birth injuries could have been prevented with proper medical care.

If your child suffered permanent injuries due to shoulder dystocia and you suspect negligence played a role, contact a Dallas birth injury lawyer to review your case. The attorneys at Rasansky Law Firm offer families a free, private, no-obligation consultation. Call us anytime at
(214) 651-6100.


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Note: The information that was utilized in this post was gathered from the use of secondary sources. This information used has not been confirmed or independently verified. If you locate any information that is not correct, please contact our firm as soon as possible so that we can make the appropriate corrections. If you find any information that is false, we will remove or correct the post immediately after it is brought to our attention.

Disclaimer: As a valued member of the Dallas community, Rasansky Law Firm’s goal is to improve the safety of all residents in the great state of Texas. These posts should not be viewed as a solicitation for business and the information included herein should not be taken as medical or legal advice. The photos used in this post are not representative of the actual crash scene.

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