|
How Should a Doctor Handle a Shoulder Dystocia Obstetric Emergency?
As an obstetric emergency, shoulder dystocia is difficult to anticipate; the first sign of the problem is usually after it has already started, when the baby's shoulder doesn't appear right after his or her head, or the head appears and then retreats.
According to the AAFP, most cases of shoulder dystocia are not predicted and occur in babies with a normal birth weight. However, there are several risk factors for shoulder dystocia that an experienced obstetrician should be aware of:
- using a tool such as a vacuum or forceps to help with the birth
- unusually long labor
- gestational diabetes or preexisting maternal diabetes
- delivery after the baby's due date
- a petite or short mother
- an abnormally shaped pelvis in the mother
- excessive maternal weight gain during pregnancy
- maternal obesity
- fetal macrosomia -- a very large baby
There are several common, well-accepted medical strategies for doctors to use in shoulder dystocia cases. Doctors can try repositioning either the mother or the baby to allow the shoulder to pass and using several gentle pulling or pushing methods. More severe measures include cutting a very deep episiotomy, breaking the mother's pelvis or the baby's collarbone, or even an emergency cesarean section.
What Are the Most Common Birth Injuries Associated With Shoulder Dystocia?
|
