Did You Know?

Shoulder dystocia happens in about 1 in every 200 births. It is often neither preventable nor predictable. It can deprive the baby of oxygen, leading to brain damage or death and can cause injuries including fractures of the baby's arm or shoulder or damage to the nerves resulting in a brachial plexus injury. Shoulder dystocia can also lead to complications for the mother, including tears or hemorrhage, so it is important that maternity teams can identify and manage it quickly and efficiently.