Volume 9, Issue 9: Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder Dystocia – the pressure is on

The first call comes through, “cat 2 maternity call”. You arrive at a remote farmhouse where labour is already in progress. As the head is born you notice it’s very large. As well as this, there is no movement during the rest phase and a distinct turtle sign is present, which causes the tension to rise – do you know what to do next?

CPD Benefit

Prediction of shoulder dystocia occurrence is poor and, although it is relatively uncommon, it does account for 5% of successful litigation claims in a recent National Health Service Litigation Authority (NHSLA) review. This article examines the issues that may make the condition more likely and gives step-by-step guidance on how to manage shoulder dystocia in the prehospital setting. It shows how taking the correct course of action and providing appropriate support can enable a safe birth.

Assessment Answers

You can check your answers to the quiz by clicking the link below:

Standby CPD Volume 9 – Assessment Answers