| -link"> | | | | occurrence. But since shoulder dystocia and resultant |
| A shoulder dystocia emergency during birth can have | | | | brachial plexus injuries are very difficult to predict, |
| disastrous consequences for the baby if not handled | | | | ACOG training for doctors also aims to teach doctors |
| properly. Since the baby’s head is already | | | | how best to resolve shoulder dystocia and prevent |
| delivered but its shoulders are stuck behind the | | | | fetal injuries. |
| mother’s pelvis, there is a strong possibility of | | | | In addition to the above, ACOG seminars also aim to |
| the baby dying from suffocation if too much time | | | | make doctors aware about the many medico-legal |
| elapses and the shoulder dystocia is not resolved. | | | | aspects regarding shoulder dystocia and brachial |
| A shoulder dystocia emergency during birth can have | | | | plexus injuries. Shoulder dystocia lawsuits are |
| disastrous consequences for the baby if not handled | | | | discussed as well as the various claims that can be |
| properly. Since the baby's head is already delivered but | | | | made against doctors if fetal injuries do occur. Since |
| its shoulders are stuck behind the mother's pelvis, there | | | | doctors are made aware of the huge potential for |
| is a strong possibility of the baby dying from | | | | expensive litigation in the form of brachial plexus injury |
| suffocation if too much time elapses and the shoulder | | | | lawsuit, it does make them try that much harder to |
| dystocia is not resolved. | | | | prevent shoulder dystocia and conditions such as Erb's |
| In truth, sometimes even if doctors are able to resolve | | | | palsy. |
| the dystocia using one of the many maneuvers for | | | | Information For Parents For Prevention Of Brachial |
| handling shoulder dystocia, far too frequently brachial | | | | Plexus Injuries |
| plexus injuries are sustained by the baby. Such injuries | | | | Apart from training doctors and conducting clinical |
| affect the movement of the arm and hands and may | | | | seminars, ACOG is also involved in educating parents |
| even leave the baby's arm paralyzed for life. Though | | | | about everything related to shoulder dystocia and |
| some statistics suggest that this occurs in only two to | | | | brachial plexus injuries. By providing relevant information |
| five babies per every 1000 live births, as far as we are | | | | to parents, ACOG is trying to make them more aware |
| concerned that is two to five babies too many. | | | | of such birthing emergencies and what parents can do |
| Fortunately, ACOG (American College of Obstetricians | | | | to prevent fetal or birth injuries to their babies. |
| and Gynecologists) has recognized the seriousness of | | | | The ACOG regularly releases for parents practice |
| this birthing emergency and is taking many steps to | | | | bulletins that contain the most updated should dystocia |
| ensure that brachial plexus injuries from shoulder | | | | information. These bulletins contain information that can |
| dystocia can be reduced. Here's a look at what | | | | help mothers to understand whether they may be at |
| ACOG is doing about shoulder dystocia. Training For | | | | an increased risk for shoulder dystocia. If the risk of |
| Doctors For Prevention Of Brachial Plexus Injuries | | | | dystocia and brachial plexus injuries is high, parents are |
| ACOG has many different training and educational | | | | advised as to the best way to reduce such risk and |
| programs for doctors and health care practitioners to | | | | ensure the birth of a healthy baby. |
| help prevent brachial plexus injuries. They routinely | | | | Two main risk factors for shoulder dystocia are |
| conduct clinical seminars on the subject of | | | | maternal diabetes and fetal macrosomia. ACOG has |
| Managing Shoulder Dystocia', which help to educate | | | | issued practice bulletins on these two topics so that |
| doctors on the following topics: | | | | parents can manage gestational diabetes properly and |
| - Is it possible to predict shoulder dystocia? | | | | also perhaps opt for a cesarean delivery if the fetus is |
| - Is shoulder dystocia preventable? | | | | macrosomic (excessively large). Here are the ACOG |
| - When the emergency does occur, is it possible to | | | | guidelines on these two topics: |
| resolve shoulder dystocia without causing any fetal | | | | 1. ACOG Guidelines For Fetal Macrosomia: The |
| injury or brachial plexus injuries? | | | | recommendations are: |
| - Is excess traction, applied by the doctor, the reason | | | | - Cesarean delivery is indicated when the weight of |
| for all brachial plexus injuries? | | | | the fetus is more than 4500 grams. |
| By taking part in such seminars and completing the | | | | - Women who are not diabetic should consider |
| training courses, obstetricians and other health care | | | | cesarean deliveries if the weight of their fetus is more |
| givers are then able to: | | | | than 5000 grams. For diabetic women the fetal weight |
| - Identify the various risk factors for shoulder dystocia | | | | for cesarean consideration is 4500 grams. |
| and take measures to prevent it if there is an | | | | 2. ACOG Guidelines For Management Of Gestational |
| increased risk of dystocia. | | | | Diabetes: The recommendations are: |
| - Resolve shoulder dystocia (if it occurs) in the best | | | | - Mothers should take the laboratory-screening test for |
| possible manner using the various maneuvers for | | | | gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of |
| handling dystocia. | | | | pregnancy. |
| - Understand why brachial plexus injuries occur, | | | | - If gestational diabetes is present, ask the obstetrician |
| especially due to the application of excessive traction. | | | | about the best manner in which to manage this |
| With better understanding of these reasons there is | | | | condition during pregnancy. |
| higher chance of resolving shoulder dystocia without | | | | ACOG also recommends that women who have |
| brachial plexus injuries. | | | | gestational diabetes and whose fetus weighs more |
| ACOG also has videos on shoulder dystocia that | | | | than 4500 grams should seriously consider a cesarean |
| show doctors how to recognize the emergency in the | | | | delivery as this reduces the risk of brachial plexus |
| labor room and how they can help reposition mothers | | | | injuries greatly. |
| so as to widen their birth canal to the maximum and | | | | The clinical seminars, practice bulletins and training |
| help the baby to be delivered without brachial plexus | | | | programs issued by the ACOG for doctors and |
| injuries such as Erb's palsy. | | | | parents therefore greatly assist in lessening the |
| Therefore, ACOG is doing all in its power to further | | | | number of brachial plexus injuries from shoulder |
| educate doctors about all aspects of shoulder | | | | dystocia. |
| dystocia, including new ways to predict and prevent its | | | | |