
Although shoulder dystocia poses a risk of health complications during labor, most mothers and babies survive and recover well. The newborn can suffer from collarbone or arm fractures and nerve damage, but these injuries can be managed with proper treatment.
What is shoulder dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia is an obstetric emergency that is relatively common and occurs when the baby's anterior shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother's pelvic bone, preventing the baby from progressing through the birth canal.
Shoulder dystocia affects about 3% of vaginal deliveries in the United States and 5% of vaginal deliveries worldwide.
What causes shoulder dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia can be caused by factors such as:
- Size of the baby, especially the width of the baby’s shoulders
- Size of the mother’s pelvis and birth canal
- Angle of the baby during delivery
Shoulder dystocia is more likely in full-term and male babies because they are generally larger than preterm and female babies. Mothers with gestational diabetes are more at risk of shoulder dystocia complications during delivery.
How is shoulder dystocia handled?
Shoulder dystocia puts both mother and baby in jeopardy. It is treated as an emergency, since the baby can die or suffer major brain damage due to lack of oxygen. As a result, obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) have a very small window of opportunity to intervene in the event of shoulder dystocia.
OBs can use a range of manipulative techniques and obstetric procedures to treat shoulder dystocia. When shoulder dystocia is discovered during delivery, the doctor's priority is to determine the baby's anterior shoulder's orientation (angle, depth, etc.). Because the precise orientation will influence which obstetric procedures and/or maneuvers will be the most effective in dislodging the shoulder, accurate assessment of shoulder position and orientation is crucial. Certain techniques are meant to be used with certain orientations.
Following a thorough examination of the shoulder's orientation, the doctor must decide on a strategy for dealing with the issue, including which procedure to use. This is when things can get a little complicated. It is critical to manage the dystocia and deliver the baby as soon as possible.
Excessive haste, overly aggressive manipulation, hyperflexion of the infant's neck, or the use of excessive force can result in serious injury to the newborn. To overcome the baby's shoulder dystocia without hurting the mother or child, a high level of skill is needed.

SLIDESHOW
Conception: The Amazing Journey from Egg to Embryo See SlideshowWhat birth injuries are associated with shoulder dystocia?
When shoulder dystocia occurs, the risk of a birth injury increases dramatically. Broken bones and facial disfigurement are typical physical stress injuries in newborns. When a doctor or midwife applies too much force or pressure to release the baby's trapped shoulder, birth injuries can occur.
Shoulder dystocia can cause the following birth injuries:
- Erb's palsy: Erb's palsy is a birth injury caused by damage to the brachial plexus nerves in the shoulder and neck, which connect the brain to the arms and hands. When these nerves are injured during childbirth, it can lead to Erb's palsy, which is characterized by arm/hand paralysis.
- Klumpke's palsy: Klumpke's palsy is a nerve injury caused by an injury to a nerve channel in the lower spine that leads to paralysis of the newborn's hands or lower arms.
- Cerebral palsy: Shoulder dystocia that is not properly managed can result in a temporary lack of oxygen to the infant's brain, due to excessive trauma, prolonged pressure, or compression of the umbilical cord. Cerebral palsy is a disorder that impairs the brain's ability to control body movements.
- Brain damage: If the newborn is deprived of oxygen for an extended period of time, permanent brain damage may result. The extent of brain damage often depends on how long the baby was deprived of oxygen, as well as post-delivery interventions.
Health News
- Most Injection Drug Users Are Not Seeking Out Fentanyl: Study
- Cancer Survivors Who Keep Smoking Have Double the Risk for Heart-Related Death
- Canada to Become 1st Country to Mandate Warning Labels on Individual Cigarettes
- Nova Scotia Wildfires Sending Unhealthy 'Smoke Plume' to U.S. Northeast
- U.S. Teen Birth Rate Hits Another Historic Low
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1602970-overview
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470427/
Top Can a Baby Survive Shoulder Dystocia Related Articles
Childbirth Delivery Methods and Types
Learn about the pros and cons of various childbirth methods, such as the Bradley method, C-section, natural childbirth, water birth, Lamaze, and vaginal delivery. Read about birthing centers, hospital and home births, midwives, and doulas.Childbirth Class Options
Childbirth class options include the Lamaze technique, the Bradley Method, the Alexander Technique, and HypnoBirthing.Ectopic Pregnancy (Tubal Pregnancy)
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy located outside the inner lining of the uterus. The majority of ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tube. Signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy may include abdominal pain, lack of menstrual period (amenorrhea), vaginal bleeding, fainting, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
Treatment options for an ectopic pregnancy include observation, medication, or surgery.
Exercise & Pregnancy
Pregnancy exercises and workouts for moms-to-be include Kegel exercises and prenatal yoga. A prenatal workout is an important part of healthy living. Try these safe exercises for pregnancy.How Common Are Complications During Childbirth?
Labor or childbirth is a physiologic process during which the fetus, membranes, umbilical cord and placenta are expelled from the uterus. The most common complications during childbirth include preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, infections and uterine atony.How Safe Is Breech Delivery?
The breech pregnancies are not dangerous until it’s time for the baby to be born. In the breech presentation, the baby’s feet or bottom is located at the opening of the uterus instead of the baby’s head. The head is the largest part of the baby that must fit through the birth canal.Labor and Delivery
Early and later symptoms and signs of labor and delivery are unique to each woman. Early signs of labor are "lightning" and passing the mucus plug. Later symptoms and signs that labor that labor is are the woman's water breaking, and when contractions begin. There are three stages of labor, stage 1 is the longest and occurs when the cervix begins to thin and dilate. During stage 2 of labor the baby passes through the birth canal and remains there until delivery, and stage 3, is when the baby is delivered.Pregnancy Myths and Facts Quiz
Being pregnant is a delicate time for both mother and baby. Take this pregnancy myths and facts quiz to separate the myths and facts about being pregnant, and learn the truth behind healthy pregnancies!What Is the Purpose of Performing an Obstetric Ultrasound?
The purpose of performing an obstetric ultrasound is to provide a safe, non-invasive, and accurate method to clinically evaluate the pregnant uterus and fetus, right from the confirmation of a viable (alive) pregnancy to throughout the woman’s pregnancy.What Are the Risks of Shoulder Dystocia?
https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/shoulder-dystocia.aspx
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0401/p1707.htmlWhat Causes Shoulder Dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency condition during the delivery in which the baby’s shoulder gets stuck inside the womb after its head passes through the vaginal canal. This is usually caused when the baby’s body is wider as compared to the mother’s vaginal opening during labor.What Is the Main Cause of Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal brain development and is often seen at birth where there is a history of complicated labor. Learn about 4 main causes of the condition.What Is the Most Common Complication of Childbirth?
The most common complication of childbirth is labor that does not progress. Learn about other childbirth complications and what can be done about them.Why Is Forceps Delivery Done?
Forceps delivery is a type of assisted delivery in which tong-shaped instruments are used to ease the baby out of the birth canal. These instruments are used to cradle the baby’s head in the vagina and turn the baby into a better position if needed so that they can be guided out.