CONTACT FORM

Name


Address 1


Address 2


Address 3


Home Tel


Work Tel


Mobile Tel


Email



SHOULDER DYSTOCIA
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE




Shoulder dystocia is unpredictable and occurs during delivery when the baby’s shoulder lodges behind the mother’s pelvic bone. Cases of shoulder dystocia are common however many babies escape without injury as a result of the attending healthcare practitioner usually a doctor or a midwife, managing to release the child by following established protocols. In the most severe cases, performing an emergency caesarean section may be necessary.


COMPENSATION HELPLINE 0845 177 0929


Shoulder dystocia, which is a medical emergency, occurs when a baby's shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother's pelvis during labour. Excessive traction used in the delivery of the child can damage the ‘brachial plexus’ network of nerves which runs from the spine, across the shoulders to the tips of the fingers. Failing to remedy this problem can result in asphyxiation and death. Doctors and midwives attending a birth should be familiar with the well established protocols which if applied appropriately will relieve the problem. The methods of dealing with this serious problem include:

  • repositioning the mother
  • manoeuvring and changing the baby’s position
  • carrying out the McRobert's manoeuvre
  • breaking the mother's pelvic bone
  • applying pressure to the pubic area
  • emergency caesarean section
  • breaking the baby's clavicle bone on purpose
  • deep episiotomy cut
  • applying traction in a horizontal plane


COMPENSATION HELPLINE 0845 177 0929


Injuries due to shoulder dystocia may be temporary or permanent and range from a fractured arm or collar bone to more severe injury where nerve damage has been sustained resulting in arm or shoulder paralysis.

Damage to the brachial plexus nerves can manifest itself in a number of different ways ranging from mild to severe and from temporary to permanent. The injury is usually classified as follows:

  • Klumpke's Palsy - Usually includes a limp hand and immobile fingers often associated with Horners syndrome.
  • Complete Brachial Plexus Palsy - Occurs when the entire arm is paralysed. There may also be Horner's Syndrome and Torticollis caused as a result of nerve damage.
  • Erbs Palsy - Is characterised by the arm being turned towards the body, with a stiff elbow and the hand in a ‘waiters tip’ position.

Failure to act in the face of obvious risk or failure to follow the protocols can be grounds to pursue a Medical Negligence compensation claim if the child suffers any injury. If you think that your child was injured as a result of medical negligence you should speak to a solicitor about making a claim against the hospital or clinic. Children injured during birth usually receive public funding and legal aid which is not means tested for those under the age of 18 years.


SOLICITORS COMPENSATION HELPLINE 0845 177 0929