Shoulder dystocia: risk factors and prevention

Abstract

Failure of the shoulders to deliver after delivery of the head is known as shoulder dystocia. The risk factors associated with its occurrence were examined in women delivering vaginally at Jordan University Hospital. The profile of the patient most likely to present with shoulder dystocia was determined to be a multiparous, obese patient, over 42 weeks' gestation in a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia or diabetes with an infant weighing 4,500 g or more. Neonatal complications were noted to be high. There was no maternal death but 4 stillborn infants were delivered and 1 died in the immediate neonatal period.