Final answer:
Shoulder dystocia is an emergency during childbirth where the baby's shoulder is stuck behind the mother's pelvis. Risk factors include gestational diabetes, previous shoulder dystocia history, macrosomia, maternal obesity, post-term pregnancy, a small maternal pelvis, and use of assisted delivery tools.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shoulder dystocia is an obstetric emergency that occurs during childbirth when the baby's shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother's pelvic bone, preventing a normal vaginal delivery. Some of the risk factors for shoulder dystocia include:
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- Gestational diabetes in the mother
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- A history of shoulder dystocia in previous deliveries
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- Macrosomia, which is when the baby has a birth weight of more than 4,000 to 4,500 grams
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- Obesity in the mother
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- Post-term pregnancy, where the pregnancy lasts for more than 42 weeks
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- Short or contracted maternal pelvis that may not accommodate the baby's shoulders
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- Use of assisted vaginal delivery tools, such as forceps or vacuum
Identifying these risk factors can help in planning the delivery method to reduce the likelihood of shoulder dystocia occurring.