Seizures And Shoulder Dystocia/Prolonged Labor

When a baby gets trapped behind the pelvis, this is known as shoulder dystocia. When this happens, an emergency in the delivery room occurs and if the doctors are faulty and do not free the child immediately, not only can the baby suffer from a brain injury, but death can be the ultimate result. Even though brachial plexus injuries can be the outcome of shoulder dystocia, brain injuries, and subsequent seizures can also result from this condition.

Umbilical cord compression is one of the main ways where a brain injury can occur during shoulder dystocia. As the baby remains trapped behind the pelvis, and depending on the location of the umbilical cord, it too can become trapped, which leads to a reduction of blood and oxygen, thus leading to a brain injury or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Seizures can be the result of this type of brain injury.