For babies, the journeying down the nascency canal and into your open up artillery isn't always an easy 1. I roadblock that might occur during labor and delivery is shoulder dystocia.

Hither's what you should know almost this — thankfully uncommon — complication.

What is shoulder dystocia?

Shoulder dystocia

Shoulder dystocia is when one or both of the infant's shoulders get "stuck" behind the mother'south pelvic bone as the baby begins to be born. The head volition deliver, only the nascency progresses no further. (The word "dystocia" ways tedious or difficult labor or delivery.)

How common is shoulder dystocia?

Just about 1 percent of babies born vaginally have shoulder dystocia, although this number may exist higher for larger babies — those born over 8 pounds xiii ounces — and for mothers with diabetes.

What are the signs of shoulder dystocia?

Shoulder dystocia is unpredictable, and can occur even in women and babies who don't take any gamble factors.

If your doctor thinks you might experience shoulder dystocia during your commitment, she might recommend a C-section, particularly if your baby weighs at least xi pounds or if you lot have diabetes and your infant weighs at least 9 pounds, 15 ounces.

Who is most at risk for shoulder dystocia?

It'due south hard for doctors to predict which women will experience shoulder dystocia during pregnancy. There are some known risk factors, however, including:

  • Having a baby with macrosomia (i.due east., a weight of more than than 8 pounds, 13 ounces at birth). About larger babies don't experience shoulder dystocia, notwithstanding. In fact, well-nigh of the cases of shoulder dystocia are in babies with normal nativity weights — which is 1 reason why shoulder dystocia is difficult to anticipate.
  • Having diabetes
  • Having had shoulder dystocia before
  • Being overweight
  • Gaining too much weight during pregnancy

Some labor and delivery factors as well increase the risk of shoulder dystocia, including:

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  • A long pushing phase with tedious descent of the infant
  • A forceps delivery, in which a pair of curved, tonglike devices are used to help the baby out of the nascency canal
  • A vacuum delivery, in which a suction cup is placed on the baby'southward head to help guide her out of the birth culvert

Despite these increased risks, most cases of shoulder dystocia occur in women who don't have diabetes and babies who have a normal birth weight.

What are potential complications of shoulder dystocia?

Both you and your babe are at risk for complications of shoulder dystocia, almost all of which come every bit a result of the maneuvers that might need to be taken to dislodge your baby from the birth canal. Luckily, these complications are rare, and both mothers and babies usually brand a good recovery.

Some of these complications include:

  • Nerve injury to the infant
  • Breaks and fractures in the collarbone or arms of the baby
  • Lack of oxygen to the baby (though rare)
  • Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in the female parent
  • Significant tearing of your perineum (the expanse between the vagina and rectum)
  • Uterine rupture, or a tear to the uterus (rare)

How is shoulder dystocia treated?

If you do accept shoulder dystocia during labor, your practitioner may endeavour to alter your position to open up your pelvis wider, which volition allow your baby'southward shoulders to emerge.

For example, your md may inquire yous to hyperflex your knees upwards to the abdomen (called the McRoberts maneuver), employ pressure level to the peak of your pelvis to assistance the baby exist delivered or plow you over so that you lot're on your hands and knees. She may also achieve into your vagina to attempt to manually turn your baby.

Less usually, you lot might receive an episiotomy (an incision fabricated in the perineum) or a C-section.

Is there anything you can do to prevent shoulder dystocia?

Unfortunately, shoulder dystocia is often unpredictable — and unpreventable. During pregnancy, try to continue your weight proceeds within the recommended range. This fashion, your baby may exist less probable to have trouble maneuvering her way through the birth canal.

If your dr. thinks that shoulder dystocia may occur during your labor, she may recommend that yous deliver via a C-section.