Health Law

Shoulder Dystocia is an obstectrical emergency

This is an abstract discussing Shoulder Dystocia that I found on the NIH website.  I bolded the text below to make a point which is simple. 

That is exactly why we have medical professionals.  We want them to be "familiar with the maneuvers" ... and "be prepared to institute" them when they are needed.

This is where we see malpractice cases arise.  It is often when communication in the delivery room breaks down, warning signs are missed or people aren't familiar enough with the maneuvers.

Shoulder dystocia is one of the most dreaded complications of vaginal delivery encountered by the obstetrician. Although risk factors for shoulder dystocia exist, approximately 50% of cases do not demonstrate the classic predisposing signs. Obstetricians can help patients decrease their risk for fetal macrosomia by frequent attention to weight gain, nutrition, and exercise during pregnancy and by aggressive management of diabetes. All obstetricians must be familiar with the maneuvers used to effect delivery of impacted shoulders and must be prepared to institute these maneuvers immediately in a crisis situation.

(emphasis added)

Source:  NIH website

My previous Shoulder Dystocia and Erb's Palsy post

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on January 25, 2008 (boomark / email).