Shoulder Dystocia throughout pregnancy

What it is

Shoulder dystocia is a difficulty of labor and shipping in which one or each of the child's shoulders get "stuck" behind the mom's pelvic bone as the child descends into the beginning canal.

How common is it?

handiest one percentage of babies weighing six pounds have shoulder dystocia; 5 to 9 percent of infants weighing extra than nine pounds have shoulder dystocia.

who is most at threat?

Shoulder dystocia takes place most frequently in large toddlers. ladies who've previously added a child with shoulder dystocia or the ones who've gestational diabetes also are at risk. The threat also rises in case you pass past your due date before turning in or want to be assisted by using forceps or vacuum in the course of childbirth. still, many cases of shoulder dystocia occur for the duration of labors without any of these danger factors.

What are the symptoms?

A stalled delivery after the child's head emerges.

should you be concerned?

both you and your baby are at hazard for headaches of shoulder dystocia, nearly all of which come because of the maneuvers that could want to be taken to dislodge your baby from the start canal. thankfully, the ones headaches (consisting of nerve harm or breaks and fractures in the collarbone or arms of the baby or hemorrhage, substantial tearing of your perineum, uterine rupture, and different pelvic injuries for the mother) are rare.

What you may do

maintain your weight advantage inside the encouraged variety so your child doesn't get too massive to maneuver thru the start canal. selecting a labor function that allows your pelvis to open as extensive as possible would possibly provide you with the fine hazard of avoiding dystocia.  if you do have shoulder dystocia throughout labor, your practitioner may additionally try and alternate your role, ask you to hyperflex your knees as much as the abdomen, or follow stress to the top of your pelvis to help the infant be delivered.