Delivering in Danger

Women who are expecting a new baby in Tennessee should consult with a doctor about the possible birth injuries that could occur before or during labor and delivery. A common injury that could occur is shoulder dystocia. This is an injury that occurs when the baby’s shoulders become wedged and are stuck as the mother is trying to deliver the baby. If the mother’s doctor sees that the baby could be too large to deliver vaginally before delivery, then a C-section could be performed to prevent should dystocia.

In most situations, shoulder dystocia doesn’t pose a serious problem. The baby can be delivered safely with no harm to the baby or the mother. During delivery, the doctor would need to make a decision in order to safely delivery the baby if there are signs of shoulder dystocia. If this decision isn’t made and the mother or baby are injured, then the mother could seek assistance from a personal injury attorney who assists with birth injuries.

There are a few conditions that could put a mother and baby at risk for shoulder dystocia that the mother’s doctor can look at before delivery. Macrosomia is when the baby weighs more than a certain weight before birth, usually 8 pounds and 13 ounces. A large baby might not have the space needed to easily fit through the pelvis during delivery, resulting in should dystocia. Diabetes or gestational diabetes or the mother being overweight can result in the shoulders getting stuck. Some of the injuries that can occur to the baby include a fractured collarbone or a lack of oxygen that results in brain damage.

After visiting a doctor, a mother learns that her baby could be of a larger size at birth. Her doctor continues to allow her to labor normally, discovering that the baby won’t fit through the birth canal, resulting in the baby’s collarbone breaking. An attorney can assist the mother by filing a claim against the doctor. The claim can include compensation for medical treatments, lost wages due to caring for the baby, and pain and suffering that could occur after the birth of the baby.