Procedure Ready: Ob/Gyn

Shoulder dystocia

06.08.2023 - By Jennifer Doorey, MD, MSPlay

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Definition: Failure to deliver fetal shoulders with normal downward traction 

Why we care: Baby hypoxia, brachial plexus injuries, maternal injuries

Risk factors: 

DM, excessive weight gain in pregnancy, S>D, Large baby

Hx of shoulder dystocia (~10-15% recurrence)

Turtling while pushing 

Prevention 

No real prevention as SD is very hard to predict 

Offer cesarean delivery if EFW is >5000g and no DM, or >4500g and any type of DM

What do to: 

Step back. If comfortable, can help minimize family interference. Calmly explain what is happening and what the docs are doing. 

Offer to be the Timekeeper. Write down times and what is happening. Announce every 2 minutes. 

What you’ll see: 

Prep: Hypothesize shoulder orientation for suprapubic pressure, place stool 

Announce problem- call for help

Maneuvers - McRobers, suprapubic

Posterior arm

Rotational: Wood’s screw, Rubin

Gaskins- all 4s

Episiotomy

Zavanelli

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