Shoulder dystocia occurs when, after the delivery of the baby’s head, the baby’s anterior shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone. When this happens, the remainder of the baby’s body cannot easily be delivered vaginally. Shoulder dystocia can lead to permanent birth injuries, such as brachial plexus nerve injuries, fractured clavicles, and birth asphyxia.
How Does a Doc Know it’s Shoulder Dystocia?
Birth injury due to shoulder dystocia can be reduced by proper, non-negligent care by an obstetrician. One of the most important things the obstetrician must do is to recognize shoulder dystocia when it is happening. A sure sign that shoulder dystocia could be complicating the birthing process is when the baby’s body does not emerge with the typical pushing and standard movements normally used by the obstetrician to facilitate the birth. Another indicator is the “turtle sign”. This is when the baby’s head emerges and then retracts back like a turtle pulling back into its shell. This retraction occurs because the baby’s anterior shoulder is stuck. When shoulder dystocia has been determined, a backup obstetrician should be called and the delivery team should ready themselves for any possible complications.
There are also a few specific obstetrical maneuvers that have proven beneficial, and they should carefully be employed. It is important that the obstetrician recognize the shoulder dystocia issue, be knowledgeable in the different appropriate maneuvers to attempt to remove the shoulder dystocia, and then implement these maneuvers in a controlled, careful manner. Failing to follow these important recommendations, and failing to properly use and try the different approved maneuvers, can be seen as negligence on the part of the obstetrician. The obstetrician’s negligence that causes permanent injury to baby is negligence that should be compensated.
Birth Injury and Shoulder Dystocia Attorneys in NJ and PA
If your child was injured at birth and you now have questions regarding your legal rights, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia. Let our experienced team answer any questions you may have.
Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind a mother’s pubic bone. In order to avoid injury, certain changes must be made during delivery. Birth injuries arising from the improper delivery of a baby with shoulder dystocia can be permanent. In the case of the Virginia boy, it was shown that the nerve damage caused him permanent disablement of his right arm. He may need assistance for simple tasks for the rest of life, and may not be able to do many of the typical activities of childhood due to the birth injury he received.
The protocol system, called Code-D, reduced the occurences of infant brachial plexus injury (Erb’s Palsy) caused by shoulder dystocia (when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone by 26%, according to study reports presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine annual meeting. 
Birth Injuries that commonly occur include Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy, face paralysis, bruises and swelling, Shoulder Dystocia, and brain damage. These injuries are generally brought on by oxygen deprivation and doctor error. Oxygen deprivation is commonly caused by umbilical cord compression, the improper insertion of an oxygen tube, Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (the baby inahles it’s own fecal matter or amniotic fluid), or excessive time spent in the birth canal. 
Galecio and Maria Rodriguez sued Dr. Jennifer Friedman and the Northwestern Memorial Physician’s Group after a serious birth injury permanently injured their son Mateo.
Shoulder Dystocia occurs when the shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone after the head exits the birth canal. Child births with high risk of shoulder dystocia include those of larger babies. In the New Jersey case, the baby weighed 9 lbs, and her mother weighed 300. It is also known that overweight mothers are more likely to give birth to heavier babies. Had an estimated fetal weight been made prior to the woman going into labor, a C-Section could have been discussed as an option. Instead, however, a vaginal birth was attempted, and after shoulder dystocia and excessive force by the OB/GYN, the little girl now suffers from from Erb’s Palsy. 
There are also strategies to employ once healthcare professionals realize shoulder dystocia is occurring during the birth process.