Becoming a new mother is an exciting, joyous moment. But when you experience negligence in the labor and delivery room, that excitement can quickly turn into fear, frustration and anxiety. A doctor’s incompetence, inattentiveness or inexperience during your delivery can result in serious health complications for you and your child.
What is infant shoulder dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia occurs when your infant’s shoulders become lodged in your birth canal during delivery. It may happen with larger babies or babies who are in the wrong position. While many doctors know how to safely handle a situation like this, a negligent doctor’s actions can lead to scary health problems.
Risks of infant shoulder dystocia
When a doctor doesn’t take care to safely deliver your baby, infant shoulder dystocia can lead to injuries that can affect your baby’s growth and development. When your baby’s shoulders get stuck, any pulling, tugging or irresponsible maneuvering can cause injuries suck as broken bones or brachial plexus palsy.
If a doctor doesn’t take action right away or fails to notice shoulder dystocia altogether, your baby might not receive enough oxygen. In serious cases, this can sometimes lead to brain damage.
Identifying symptoms
Your baby may be suffering from an injury due to shoulder dystocia if they show any of the following symptoms after birth:
- Minor paralysis of limbs like arms
- Excessive crying
- Claw-like appearance of the hand
- Muscle looseness
You can also suffer during delivery from infant shoulder dystocia. While it isn’t uncommon for mothers to experience difficulties such as hemorrhaging and severe tearing, it may also be a sign that your baby had shoulder dystocia during delivery.
Take action against physician negligence
Your doctor has a duty to recognize infant shoulder dystocia and take action accordingly to protect you and your child. Many babies with shoulder dystocia require a C-section delivery. Under a competent physician’s care, shoulder dystocia may not pose a significant threat to you or your baby.
However, you should hold doctors and nurses who make poor decisions during your labor and delivery accountable for their negligent actions. If you recognize an injury in your newborn that may have resulted from a traumatic birth, don’t hesitate to explore your options and seek compensation for the harm your baby endured.