Prevention of shoulder dystocia related birth injuries: Myths and facts

Table 1 Predisposing factors for shoulder dystocia

Preconceptional	Prenatal	Intrapartum
Small maternal stature	Low glucose tolerance	Protracted latent phase
Obesity	Preeclampsia	Protracted labor (1st stage)
Diabetes (or family history)	Gestational diabetes	Protracted labor (2nd stage)
High maternal birth weight	Large for gestational age fetus	Conduction anesthesia
Past birth of LGA child	Excessive weight gain (> 18 kg)	Use of oxytocin
Narrow pelvis	Postdatism	Arrest of labor
Past incidence of shoulder dystocia	Postmaturity	Vacuum extraction
“Elderly” primigravida	Induction of labor	Forceps delivery

LGA: Large for gestational age.