Shoulder Dystocia

An obstetric maneuver that involves pushing back the delivered fetal head into the birth canal in anticipation of performing a cesarean section in cases of shoulder dystocia.

Zavanelli Maneuver

A surgical incision of the perineum and the posterior vaginal wall generally done by a midwife or obstetrician during second stage of labor to quickly enlarge the opening for the baby to pass through.

episiotomy

What is the purpose of an episiotomy?

provides additional room for provider's hand when internal rotation maneuvers are required

A specific case of obstructed labour whereby after the delivery of the head, the anterior shoulder of the infant cannot pass below, or requires significant manipulation to pass below, the pubic symphysis.

shoulder dystocia

The attempt to manually dislodge the anterior shoulder from behind the symphysis pubis during a shoulder dystocia. It is performed by an attendant making a fist, placing it just above the maternal pubic bone, and pushing the fetal shoulder in one direction or the other.

suprapubic pressure

In this maneuver the anterior shoulder is pushed towards the baby's chest, and the posterior shoulder is pushed towards the baby's back, making the baby's head somewhat face the mother's rectum.

wood's screw maneuver

What is a main cause of brachial plexus injuries in newborns?

A common cause is infant shoulder dystocia - when the baby's head is delivered but the shoulders remain lodged in the mother's pelvic area. In an attempt to delivery the infant before asphyxia or any other dangerous medical complication occurs, a physician may pull the baby's shoulders with excessive force. This can lead to tearing and stretching the brachial plexus nerves.

In this maneuver for displacing the fetus's shoulders, a woman positions herself on her hands and knees.

Gaskin maneuver

Hyperflexing the mother's legs tightly to her abdomen allowing rotation of the pelvis and facilitating the release of the fetal shoulder.

McRobert's maneuver

This maneuver requires applying pressure to the fetal scapula to effect rotation of the shoulders out of the vertical orientation.

Rubin maneuver