Shoulder Dystocia - Portland Birth Injury Attorney
Portland Medical Malpractice Attorney Patrick Block Can Help
When you or your loved one welcomed your child into the world, you expected
the delivery and labor process to be as simple as possible. However, there
are many things that can go wrong, and part of why we go to the hospital
to have children is for doctors, nurses, midwives, and other medical professionals
to recognize and fix these situations before they become a problem for
the child or the mother.
Shoulder dystocia occurs when doctors have a difficult time delivering
a baby due to one or both of the shoulders becoming stuck in the birth
canal. Once this is realized by a medical professional, necessary steps
must be taken immediately in order to prevent serious and permanent injury
to the baby or the mother.
How is a doctor responsible for a birth injury?
One of the responsibilities of a doctor is both to identify potential risks
and take steps to minimize these risks and take proper action if a problem
has been identified.
Some signs that can indicate a shoulder dystocia risk include:
- Gestational diabetes
- Previous pregnancy with shoulder dystocia
- Large baby
- Breech position
- Small pelvis
- Overweight mother
- Overdue baby
- Large weight gain during pregnancy
Once shoulder dystocia has been recognized, a physician or other medical
professional can take steps such as repositioning the mother’s legs,
applying pressure on the stomach, or turning the baby to help release
the shoulder that has been stuck. If these methods do not work, the next
step may be to break the shoulder or clavicle of the infant or perform
an emergency C-section on the mother.
The most important thing to do when it occurs during delivery is to resolve
the situation as quickly as possible. Failure to prevent damage can cause
damage to the nerves that can range from mild to severe. In some instances,
the injury can get better over time, but it can also be permanent and
life-lasting.
Contact a Portland Lawyer to Discuss Your Options
Has your baby been affected by shoulder dystocia? They are entitled to
compensation. Doctors and medical professionals that were in charge of
ensuring a safe delivery of your infant are expected to act properly when
an emergency situation arises. No infant deserves to suffer at the hands
of a doctor that is unable to properly perform their job.
When you need a strong advocate to stand by your side, Portland
medical malpractice lawyer Patrick L. Block is here for you. Your child may be entitled to damages
to cover their medical expenses, emotional pain and suffering, loss of
quality of life, future lost wages, and rehabilitation costs to help them
in the future.