Birth Trauma: Causes of Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia cannot usually be predicted in advance and there is a certain degree of risk that it will occur during any full-term birth. However, there are a few risk factors that appear to predispose the problem in some cases. These include:
- Delivering a Big Baby - There are lots of reasons why a baby may be larger than normal. It may simply be hereditary or it could be due to conditions such as diabetes, a pregnancy that has exceeded 42 weeks,or there may be congenital causes. Alternatively, it may be that the baby is a normal size but the maternal pelvis is smaller than average.
- Maternal Pelvic Problems - Certain diseases can cause the pelvis to become mis-shapen, such as rickets. However, the maternal pelvis may also have been damaged in accidents, or the mother may have been born with congenital anomalies of the hips.
- Problems during Labour - If labour lasts longer than normal and there have been complications during either the first or second stages, it may indicate there are risk factors for shoulder dystocia.
- Assisted Delivery of Baby - If the baby requires delivery by forceps or ventouse, this may signify that there is a chance of one of the shoulders becoming trapped.
Related Articles
Treatment of Shoulder Dystocia
Further Information about Birth Trauma and Erb's Palsy
Erbs Palsy Group
Erb’s Palsy Group
60 Anchorway Road
Coventry
Warwickshire CV3 6JJ
Tel: 024 7641 3293
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