There are many medical malpractice cases that health care professionals face in North Carolina. Some of them are related to shoulder dystocia, which is a serious birth problem that can lead to various serious medical complications for the child.
What is shoulder dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone, making it difficult for the birth of the baby. This can lead to a number of medical problems for the child, including cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, and even death.
Who is at risk?
Mothers who have had multiple births in the past or are obese are often at an increased risk for this complication occurring during labor or pregnancy. It’s not uncommon, also, for mothers who’ve previously given birth to a baby with shoulder dystocia to experience it again.
Babies that weigh more than eight pounds also face a higher risk of shoulder dystocia. It is more common in babies that are full-term or late-term.
Is there a possibility of shoulder dystocia being a result of medical negligence?
Yes. If medical professionals don’t act quickly enough to manage the situation when shoulder dystocia occurs, it could constitute medical negligence. For instance, if the doctor doesn’t order an emergency C-section in a timely manner, it could lead to serious medical problems for the child. Moreover, medical negligence could occur if the medical team doesn’t order necessary tests on the mother or baby to make sure that they are healthy.
Many people file medical malpractice lawsuits due to medical negligence associated with shoulder dystocia, and you too can do it if you believe that your doctor or a hospital acted negligently in your case.
Just remember that to win your case, you will need to prove that medical negligence occurred and that it resulted in serious harm to your child.
Shoulder dystocia is a medical condition that medical professionals must prepare themselves for. If you experience this issue, taking the right medical and legal steps as soon as possible can help you achieve a more desirable outcome.