• Shoulder Dystocia
• Shoulder Dystocia Prevention
• Shoulder Dystocia Settlement
• Shoulder Dystocia Treatment

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A shoulder dystocia settlement is the compensatory award that is given to victims of shoulder dystocia injuries caused, or made worse, by medical negligence during childbirth. A shoulder dystocia settlement can award monetary damages for related health care expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering. A shoulder dystocia settlement may also be available in a wrongful death lawsuit in cases where the baby or the mother dies as a result of shoulder dystocia complications.

What is Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia is difficulty in delivering a baby’s shoulders during the birthing process. Signs of shoulder dystocia occur when the head has been delivered but then retracts against the perineum during child labor. When this occurs certain medical techniques must be properly employed to reduce the risk of injury to the mother and the baby.

Medical Negligence Can Cause Shoulder Dystocia

Medical professionals can do a number of things to reduce injury during shoulder dystocia complications. It is of utmost importance that a doctor does not use excessive force during the delivery, as this can cause further injury and can also be the cause of shoulder dystocia. Forceful vacuum delivery is the number one factor that causes shoulder dystocia.

Doctors and other medical professionals can employ the HELPERR technique during a shoulder dystocia birth process. This mnemonic includes seven techniques that a doctor can do to reduce injury and facilitate birth during shoulder dystocia complications. These techniques include getting sufficient help, using episiotomy techniques, proper repositioning of both the mother and the child, applying suprapubic pressure, and other techniques.

Shoulder Dystocia Injuries

Shoulder dystocia can cause a number of injuries to mother and child. Fetal death or nerve damage (usually brachial plexus palsy conditions) can occur in more severe cases. Four to fifteen percent of all shoulder dystocia complications result in brachial plexus palsy. Fetal clavicle and humorous fractures can also be caused by shoulder dystocia. Fetal hypoxia or the lack of oxygen to a baby’s brain can also occur, which may result in brain damage.

Maternal hemorrhaging, bruising or tearing of the reproductive parts, and uterine rupturing are the most common injuries that a mother sustains during shoulder dystocia childbirth. Eleven percent of shoulder dystocia results in maternal hemorrhaging, and four percent cause tearing of the mother’s reproductive tissues.

Seek for Legal Help

Though not all cases of shoulder dystocia are preventable or predictable, there are several steps that can be taken to reduce the occurrence or severity of shoulder dystocia injuries. Factors that may increase the likelihood of birth injury should be identified and responded to during the pregnancy. A plan should be developed to respond to potential problems. If medical negligence is responsible for causing or compounding shoulder dystocia injuries, victims can seek compensation in a shoulder dystocia settlement.

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