California Medical Malpractice Law Blog

A recent birth injury research paper concluded that when a woman is carrying a large baby, inducing labor should be strongly considered to avoid birth trauma. According to the study, large-for-date babies are more likely to experience a birth injury if nature is allowed to takes its course instead of inducing labor.

In fact, having a large baby is one of the risk factors for a baby being born shoulder dystocia. Shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby's shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother's pelvic bone and if not taken care of correctly, can lead to a brachial plexus injury such as Erb's Palsy or a brain injury ( asphyxia or hypoxia) due to lack of oxygen or blood flow. In some severe cases a wrongful death may occur. If you believe your child has suffered a birth injury as the result of medical negligence, it is important to speak to an experienced California birth injury attorney immediately to answer your birth injury questions and determine your next steps.

Here, the research found that for fetus’ estimated sonigraphically to be above the 95th percentile for weight, adverse events such as shoulder dystocia were three times more like to occur than if labor was induced. This study confirmed earlier studies suggesting that inducing labor may lower birth was and decrease the chance for should dystocia, brachial plexus injury and death.

This study will bolster what is already well established in the medical community, i.e. that delivering a very large baby or a mother with a small pelvic opening may lead to this birth injury. Where a doctor fails to take action to prevent this birth injury from occurring, he or she may be liable for medical malpractice and be responsible for paying damages to cover a lifetime of care.