Shoulder Dystocia
SYMPTOMS • TREATMENT • RISK FACTORS • PREVENTION • QUESTIONS

Shoulder Dystocia Attorneys
In New York and New Jersey, serving clients across the USA

If the likelihood of shoulder dystocia is properly diagnosed there are medical maneuvers available to deliver the child safely. Or, if recognized early enough, a Caesarean section can be performed.

Although this situation is rarely discussed with expectant mothers, statistics show that about one birth in a thousand involves some degree of brachial plexus trauma.

The most common risk factor for shoulder dystocia resulting in a brachial plexus injury is a larger than average birth size/weight of the baby, but that is not the only warning sign, nor does the condition exist only with oversized babies. Because brachial plexus injuries are preventable, these risk factors should be carefully monitored:

• Large baby
• Obese mother
• Short or small mother
• Diabetes and/or gestational diabetes
• Overdue baby
• Prolonged labor
• Breech position
• Flat, contracted or exceptionally small pelvis (platypelloid pelvis)
• Above-normal weight gain during pregnancy
• Advanced age of mother

In addition, a history of any one of the following should alert your doctor of the possibility of complications at delivery:

• A prior birth of a child over 8.5 pounds
• Any instance of shoulder dystocia in previous deliveries
• A duration of eight or more years between deliveries

Your doctor or birth practitioner should have discussed these factors with you or taken a history, which has asked questions to obtain this information. Be sure that the facility you are choosing for the birth can accommodate any birthing emergencies, and that your practitioner has experience with shoulder dystocia and with preventing brachial plexus injuries.

SYMPTOMS • TREATMENT • RISK FACTORS • PREVENTION