A mother who goes into the hospital to have a baby usually expects that everything will go as planned. She likely thinks that she’ll have her little bundle of joy and go home in a few days.
Most women don’t go to labor and delivery thinking that something catastrophic will happen. They trust that the medical care team will carefully monitor them and the baby. But there are times when everything doesn’t go as planned. Birth injuries can lead to catastrophic situations, but some could have been avoided.
Shoulder dystocia
One birth injury that can occur is shoulder dystocia. This occurs when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone after the head has already been delivered. This is a medical emergency that requires swift and precise care.
Healthcare providers can try to reposition the baby or adjust the mother’s position so that they’re able to free the shoulders. It’s possible that swift action can prevent nerve damage in the shoulder.
Erb’s palsy
Shoulder dystocia can sometimes lead to Erb’s palsy, which occurs when the brachial plexus nerves are damaged. The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves in the shoulder. If the nerves are stretched or torn during delivery, the baby can lose function and strength in the affected arm.
Erb’s palsy is sometimes treatable with physical therapy and medical care. If the damage is severe, surgery might be required. In some cases, the child might have lifelong issues with their arm.
Birth injuries can lead to medical malpractice claims. Anyone who’s dealing with this situation should work with someone familiar with these matters so they can learn their options and move forward with their chosen course of action.