A vaginal delivery is complicated by a shoulder dystocia when, after delivery of the fetal head, additional obstetric maneuvers beyond gentle traction are needed to enable the delivery of the fetal shoulders. It represents an obstetric emergency.

Obstetricians are trained to proceed through an orderly sequence of steps to accomplish delivery in a timely manager. The goal is to prevent fetal injury.

Few shoulder dystocias can be anticipated and prevented, as most occur in the absence of risk factors. Some risk factors can be:

• History of delivery with shoulder dystocia

• A large baby

• Postterm pregnancy

• Excessive maternal weight gain

• Diabetes Melitus