looking for information

[admin]

Does a Dr's chance of delivering a BPI baby increase if they have already delivered a BPI baby?

Or is the BPI rate for OB's the same regardless of past BPI history?

Thanks!
Guest

[Pauline]

I think this depends on how much they learn from the experience, and take on board that they may actually do things to avoid a BPI.

I do not imagine there are any figures on this...

If one doctor seems to be delivering more babies with BPI, is that doc just getting more difficlut labours? Or not following correct proceedure to avoid a BPI?

My thoughts are that if a doc delivers a bpi baby and they try to understand, learn and APPLY what they learn from this delivery, they may actually then be LESS likely to deliver more babies with BPI.

There is no right or wrong answer to this, it is as indivdual as doctors, and their responses to events, dont you think?

Sorry if this is not helpful.

[admin]

A prior shoulder dystocia is one of the recognized risk factors for another shoulder dystocia. This is a diffiucult issue to quantify though because in most instances when there has been a shoulder dystocia, the next delivery is done by cesearian section. The statistics that are available through ACOG studies show repeat shoulder dystocia anywhere from 15-26 percent. Again though, these studies do not consider repeat shoulder dystocia that was avoided by the performance of a cesearian section.

In most cases it is the ob/gyn that pushes for a cesearian section fearing that if it happens again with a vaginal delivery, they will be asked why they took the risk.

If you have any particular questions about the risk factors for repeat shoulder dystocia, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Ken Levine
Klevine@Klevinelaw.com
617-566-2700

[katep]

I think you will find that many people on this forum know that their doctor/midwife has delivered multiple BPI children with permanent injuries. If the rate of injury is 1 or 2 in 1000, and the rate of permanent injury is maybe 3 in 10... well, do the math. Then add the fact that nearly ALL BPIs were preventable. How many babies has your doctor delivered? Based on my interpretation of the facts and numbers, if they have had any BPI births, I would be very very concerned about them.

It does seem that some doctors have far more than their "fair share" of injuries... that must mean that there are plenty of doctors who plenty safe.

Kate

[Medlin]

Does anyone know how to find out if a certain Doctor has injured children before?

[admin]

check the state medical boards or licensing board for where the doctor practices. But, this doesn't always help since most states only list if an action was taken (loss of license, suspended license, etc) not just complaints being filed.
HTH

[katep]

You can search the court records of the county where they practice. If they were settled out of court, you won't get any details, but I think the fact the existence of any suits should be shown. You could then ask your doctor specifically what they were. They don't have to answer, but you could always try.

You can also search their medical license, but it is unlikely to show anything at all unless they were found guilty in court or they were investigated and found negligent by the medical board.

Kate

[Ginne]

I live in a small town and we share a hospital with our neighbouring city. In all there are maybe 350,000 people in my region with maybe 74,000 people using this particular hospital (most of us will go to one of the larger city hospitals that are within 1-2 hrs drive). I know for a FACT that two months previous to my daughters birth, the same OB/GYN delivered another BPI baby, and three weeks after Missy's birth her delivered another. By October of 2003 he had delivered another 3 BPI babies - his track record is like 1 per month!!! I don't have solid figures on the number of babies delivered in that hospital for 2003 but if it was more than 500, I'lleat my hubby's dirty, stinky, work socks!!!! Add to this he (the Dr.) is one of 3 OB/GYN's and there are family practioners that deliver at the hospital - say that approximate 1/7 of the deliveries are his (I'm being generous, but I can only name 7 Dr's that deliver there off the top of my head). The math is frightening!!!71 possible babies that he delivered, with at least one per month.
Yikes!!

Ginne