Gestational Diabetes and Shoulder Dystocia

Описание: Gestational Diabetes and Shoulder Dystocia: What Every Parent Should Know

Gestational diabetes can increase important risks during labor and delivery — including the risk of shoulder dystocia.

When a mother develops gestational diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels pass through the placenta to the baby. In response, the baby produces more insulin. Insulin acts as a growth hormone, which can cause the baby to grow larger than average — particularly in the shoulders and upper body.

This increased size can raise the risk of shoulder dystocia, a serious delivery complication where the baby’s shoulders become stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone after the head is delivered.

Shoulder dystocia can be dangerous because:

• The umbilical cord may become compressed, limiting oxygen to the baby
• The baby cannot simply “start breathing” once the head is out
• Excessive traction during delivery can injure the brachial plexus nerves
• Nerve damage may lead to Erb’s palsy or long-term arm weakness

Gestational diabetes does not automatically mean shoulder dystocia will occur. However, it is a well-known risk factor. That’s why obstetricians should carefully monitor fetal growth, track estimated fetal weight, and make thoughtful delivery planning decisions — including whether a scheduled C-section may be appropriate.

If your baby experienced shoulder dystocia and there was known gestational diabetes, it’s important to review how the pregnancy was managed and whether the risks were properly anticipated.

📍 Adam Funk
Birth Injury Attorney – Houston, Texas

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