What you need to know about shoulder dystocia

It can be hard to know everything about medical conditions and malpractice in Kentucky, but you may have heard of shoulder dystocia or even experienced it. This issue is one of the most common causes of medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors, and it is important to understand what it is early enough.

What is shoulder dystocia?

Shoulder dystocia is a medical condition in which an infant’s shoulders get stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone during delivery. This can be extremely dangerous for both the child and the mother, as it may cause injuries to internal organs or restrict oxygen flow to the baby during birth. It happens more often with larger babies and can be a medical emergency.

Who is more at risk of shoulder dystocia?

You may be more likely to experience shoulder dystocia if you are obese, or you have gestational diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy. You may also be at risk if you have had a previous shoulder dystocia delivery, or your baby is in an abnormal position.

Medical malpractice in shoulder dystocia cases

When medical staff does not act quickly enough to resolve the shoulder dystocia issue, it may face a medical malpractice lawsuit. In many cases, however, doctors handle this complication in a timely manner and prevent any damage or injuries from occurring.

What should you do when facing medical malpractice?

If you feel that your physician breached his duty of care in a medical malpractice scenario, you may want to speak with a trusted attorney in your area. They can provide you with the necessary medical information and legal expertise to help you determine if medical malpractice occurred in your case and the steps to take.

Experiencing shoulder dystocia during pregnancy or birth can get extremely dangerous and devastating. Luckily, it’s possible to resolve this problem as long as the medical staff addresses it quickly.