Preventing Shoulder Dystocia Complications

Two little words -- shoulder dystocia -- can bring fear into the delivery room.

Shoulder dystocia describes the condition when the baby's shoulders are not entering the mother's pelvic area the right way. Although not that common, shoulder dystocia can lead to mild to serious complications and lawsuits.

Your doctor or healthcare professional should be paying attention prior to delivery about the possibility of shoulder dystocia occuring. The positioning of the baby inside the mother's womb can provide a head's up that shoulder dystocia may be a problem during delivery.

The delivery team should be experienced in shoulder dystocia. Other recommendations include being prepared for the succession of several solutions such as putting pressure at the public bone to possibly allow the shoulder enough room to move through the birth canal; get the patient on her hands and knees which is easier said than done under anesthesia; performing a Cesarian section birth; plus other complex procedures.

After delivery, babies should be closely monitored for breathing, fractures, and other problems associated with shoulder dystocia.