Countless issues can potentially complicate the labor and delivery process. Healthy women expecting healthy infants sometimes experience last-minute complications that lead to birth injuries. Erb’s palsy, also known as shoulder dystocia or brachial plexus birth palsy, is a relatively common birth injury.
Frequently, infants with Erb’s palsy experience mild developmental setbacks because they cannot freely use both arms due to a nerve injury in the neck. They may experience weakness and an inability to use the affected arm, although they may be able to move the fingers.
A baby with Erb’s palsy may require extra care and possibly physical therapy to heal from this injury. How do doctors cause Erb’s palsy?
By failing to intervene
Health care professionals may recognize that labor has gone on for too long. When that happens, they generally need to take timely action for the safety of the unborn infant. Erb’s palsy can occur during prolonged labor. The risk is higher in cases where the baby presents in a breech position or where the infant is particularly large.
By intervening too aggressively
During the birth process, infants sometimes become caught in the birth canal. Health care professionals can assist the birth by using forceps or even manually pulling the child. This can cause pressure on the neck that results in damage to the nerves.
Families may need financial support to offset increased medical expenses and lost parental wages while dealing with the aftermath of shoulder dystocia, also known as Erb’s palsy. Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit can sometimes lead to compensation for those affected by preventable birth injuries.