Shoulder dystocia is when a baby's shoulders get stuck at the opening of the vagina after the head is delivered during labor. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency. It can cause serious injury to both the baby and the mother.
Who is at risk for shoulder dystocia?
This condition is more likely to develop if:
The mother has diabetes.
The mother has a very small pelvis.
The mother has a deformed pelvis.
The mother is obese.
The mother is of advanced age.
The mother has a history of shoulder dystocia during delivery.
The baby weighs more than 8.5 lb (3.9 kg).
What are the signs of shoulder dystocia?
Signs of shoulder dystocia include:
Very slow movement of the baby down the birth canal.
Movement of the baby's head in and out of