• Lack of Oxygen
• Pharmaceuticals
• Large Babies
• Unusual Position
• Excessive Force
• C-Section
• Premature Birth
• Cephalopelvic Disproportion
• Dystocia
• Prolonged Labor

Shoulder dystocia is a medical phrase for when an infant's shoulder gets trapped behind the mother's pelvic bone during childbirth. It is an obstetric emergency, requiring prompt and delicate action by the medical professionals managing the birth to avoid serious complications. It affects 0.25% to 1% of live births each year in the U.S., with the percentage increasing dramatically in babies with high birth weights.

Shoulder dystocia is often caused by medical error. The physician may fail to recognize that a baby is breech or too large to be delivered naturally. Instead of performing a Cesarean section, the baby is strained through childbirth, often with the use of forceps or vacuum. When the shoulder becomes trapped behind the mother's pubic bone, the brachial plexus nerves can stretch, causing a brachial plexus injury (also known as Erb's palsy).

The brachial plexus nerves are the nerves that run from the spinal column behind the head and neck to the arms. The arm that became trapped during delivery and sustained nerve and muscle injury may be rotated and paralyzed. As a result, the child may lose control of the shoulder, arm, elbow, or hand. Physical therapy or surgery are usually recommended by physicians in order to treat the condition.

If you believe that your child may have suffered a birth injury and you would like to know your legal options, you should immediately speak with an experienced Massachusetts birth injury lawyer. Click here for help.