Risk factors for Shoulder Dystocia and Brachial Plexus injuries?

• • Gestational Diabetes
  • Maternal obesity
  • Excessive weight gain during pregnancy
  • Macrosomia (a baby weighing more than 4000 grams or approximately 9 lbs.)
  • Previous large baby
  • Previous shoulder dystocia
  • Post term pregnancy
  • Protracted/prolonged labor
  • Short stature/small pelvis
  • Forceps/Vacuum assisted vaginal delivery

Maternal risk factors for shoulder dystocia can often be identified during a woman's pregnancy.

Short maternal stature, gestational diabetes, abnormal pelvic anatomy, and a history of birth complications are all maternal risk factors that can increase the risk of should dystocia during delivery.

Post-date delivery can also increase the risk of shoulder dystocia. A baby weighing more than 8.13 ounces at birth has a greater risk of suffering shoulder dystocia during birth than a child weighing less.

These maternal factors can be identified by a medical professional prior to delivery. Prompt attention to these conditions or proper handling of the birth process given these risks can greatly reduce the risk of shoulder dystocia.

There are also events that can occur during the child birth process that can greatly increase the risk of shoulder dystocia. Improper or forceful forceps or vacuum delivery is one of the leading causes of shoulder dystocia during child birth. In some cases the procedure is unnecessary; in others it is performed improperly.

When a shoulder dystocia occurs during the delivery, there are medical techniques to manage the labor.

Shoulder dystocia can lead to maternal and newborn injuries. A baby who has suffered shoulder dystocia may suffer temporary or long term nerve damage that affects the upper extremities (brachial plexus palsy), fractures, anoxia, and more.