Erbs Palsy

The case centers around the medical decisions made by doctors at St. Barnabas Hospital and their associated OB/GYN practice and shoulder dystocia. Shoulder dystocia is a birth complication where the baby’s shoulders get stuck inside the mother’s pelvis after the head has been delivered. This can occur during vaginal birth and requires immediate medical intervention to prevent injury to both the mother and the baby. The condition poses risks such as damage to the baby’s brachial plexus nerves, which can lead to a condition known as Erb’s palsy, characterized by weakness or paralysis of the arm. Managing shoulder dystocia often involves specific maneuvers by the delivering practitioner to safely release the baby’s shoulders and complete the birth.

Background Facts

On July 2, 2011, the plaintiff, a 35-year-old woman who was 38 weeks pregnant and had a history of giving birth to large babies, presented to St. Barnabas Hospital (SBH) following a spontaneous rupture of membranes. She had previously delivered three children weighing between 8 lbs 8 oz and 12 lbs 8 oz. Due to her history and current pregnancy conditions, she was considered at a potentially higher risk for complications during delivery. During the early hours of July 3, 2011, Dr. Michael Ihemaguba, the on-call obstetrician at SBH, assessed the plaintiff. After conducting a series of evaluations, including maneuvers to estimate the baby’s size and position and a standard Shoulder Dystocia Assessment, Dr. Ihemaguba concluded that the plaintiff did not exhibit any of the four risk factors typically associated with shoulder dystocia, a condition where the baby’s shoulders become lodged inside the mother’s pelvis, hindering delivery. At the end of his shift at 8:00 a.m., Dr. Ihemaguba transferred care to Dr. Rodney Capiro, providing him with all pertinent information about the patient’s condition and the assessments conducted. This handover was critical in the continuity of care and the subsequent medical decisions made during the delivery process. The baby suffered multiple injuries at birth, including a shoulder dystocia that resulted in a permanent brachial plexus injury known as Erb’s palsy.

Medical mistakes are the cause of many birth injuries, and a NY City Birth Injury Attorney has found that one of those potential medical mistakes is the failure to perform a C-section in a timely manner. Since the medical staff that is involved in the delivery of a baby has, the responsibility to monitor both the mother and child’s vital signs, they should be aware of both patients’ overall condition at all times. On those occasions when the medical staff fails in their assigned responsibilities, and the doctor should not begin a C-section when he should, the infant could suffer permanent damage. The same may hold true if the doctor does not perform a C-section when the conditions warrant the procedure.

A C-section is the common term for a Caesarean section, which is when the infant is removed through the mother’s abdomen instead of through the vaginal opening. This procedure is often performed when there are risks to either mother or the baby by vaginal delivery.

In order for a C-section to be performed properly, it must be performed within a certain time frame. A New York Birth Injury Attorney alleges that to be more specific, once the doctor makes the decision to perform a C-section, it should be done in less than 30 minutes. Late C-sections have resulted in permanent birth injuries to the infant, including cerebral palsy, erb’s palsy, and brain damage. Each of these carries long-term consequences to the child and the family.

Articles Posted in Erbs Palsy

Lawsuit concerning Erb’s palsy and episiotomy complications during labor. J. G. v. Michael Ihemaguba, M.D. 2016 N.Y. Slip Op. 30899 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2016)

Delayed C-Section May Cause Birth Injuries