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The MFMU Cesarean Registry: impact of fetal size on trial of labor success for patients with previous cesarean for dystocia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of change in infant birth weight between pregnancies on the outcome of a trial of labor for women whose first cesarean delivery was performed for dystocia. STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of 7081 patients with 1 previous cesarean delivery and no other deliveries after 20 weeks' gestation, undergoing a trial of labor with a singleton gestation. Cases were classified as dystocia if the listed indication for the cesarean delivery in the first pregnancy was failed induction, cephalo-pelvic disproportion, failure to progress, or failed forceps or vacuum. Outcomes of the trial of labor were correlated with fetal size relative to birth weight in the initial pregnancy for those women whose initial cesarean delivery was for dystocia and those with other indications. RESULTS: For the cohort being studied (n = 7081), dystocia was the indication for the first cesarean delivery for 3182 (44.9%). Trial of labor resulted in vaginal delivery for 54% of patients whose first cesarean delivery was performed for dystocia, compared with 67% for those with other indications (P < .01). For those whose first cesarean delivery was for dystocia, trial of labor success was correlated with birth weight differences between the pregnancies, with only 38% delivering vaginally if the trial of labor birth weight exceeded the initial pregnancy birth weight by more than 500 g. Using logistic regression and adjusting for other potential confounding factors, the odds of success decreased by 3.8% for each increase of 100 g in birth weight in the trial of labor relative to the first birth weight. CONCLUSION: For women with previous cesarean delivery for dystocia, increasing birth weight in the subsequent trial of labor relative to the first birth weight diminishes the chances of successful vaginal delivery.

Adult↗

Maternal morbidity associated with obstetrical maneuvers in shoulder dystocia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether shoulder dystocia and obstetrical maneuvers used for its relief have detrimental effects on perineum or immediate postpartum outcome. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary maternity ward in Marseille, France. POPULATION: A total 140 cases with shoulder dystocia and 280 controls without shoulder dystocia were enrolled by reviewing charts for the period between January 1999 and December 2004. METHODS: Demographic data including obstetrical history, age, height, weight before pregnancy and at the time of delivery, and respective body mass index (BMI) and obstetrical data including analgesic technique, duration of first and second stage of labor were compared in function of outcome and of the type and number of maneuvers used to relieve shoulder dystocia. RESULTS: Resolving shoulder dystocia required one obstetrical maneuver in 41 cases (29.3%) and two obstetrical maneuvers in 48 cases (34.3%). Third-degree tears occurred in one patient in the case group versus five in the control group. No correlation was found between the number of obstetrical maneuvers needed to relieve shoulder dystocia and risk for third-degree tear (OR: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.1-7.6). Mean hemoglobin values were 96.1 g/l in the case group and 96.0 g/l in the control group (p=0.95). There was no difference between the two groups regarding duration of postpartum hospitalization. The incidence of urinary incontinence was similar in the group that underwent obstetrical maneuvers: 4.7% (6/127) and in the control group: 3.7% (13/352). Only two patients reported de novo anal symptoms, both in the control group. CONCLUSION: Shoulder dystocia and obstetrical techniques used for its relief did not result in adverse maternal outcome.

Adult↗

A retrospective analysis of factors contributing to calf mortality and dystocia in beef cattle.

Records of 2191 calvings from the Clemson University Beef Physiology Unit between 1981 and 1993 were analyzed to determine factors affecting malpresentation, mortality and dystocia. Only 20 (0.91%) parturitions involved malpresentation: posterior presentation (n = 14), leg deviations (n = 3), head deviations (n = 2) and breech birth (n = 1). Dystocia affected calf mortality within 24 h of birth (P < 0.05), with mortality increasing as the severity of dystocia increased. There was an overall 4.5% death loss within 24 h of birth, with 4 and 7% mortality rates for calves from multiparous and primiparous dams, respectively (P < 0.05). Mortality was higher for bull vs heifer calves (P < 0.05). Ninety-four percent of calvings were unassisted, while 6% were assisted births. Dystocia was greater (P < 0.01) in primiparous (17%) than in multiparous dams (4%). In births involving dystocia, 28.1% required mild traction, 69.3% required heavy traction and 2.6% required Cesarean section. Birth weights associated with normal births and mild traction (36 and 36 kg) were lighter than those associated with heavy traction and Cesarean section (40 and 42 kg, respectively; P < 0.05). In conclusion, malpresentations were too few to be of significance, and dystocia influenced mortality within 24 h of birth. Calf birth weight and parity of dam explained most of the observed variations in dystocia.

Age Factors↗

Prepregnancy body mass index in non-diabetic women with and without shoulder dystocia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) in non-diabetic women with and without shoulder dystocia. STUDY DESIGN: Cases were 142 non-diabetic women experiencing shoulder dystocia during the period from 1 January 1993 to 31 December 1999. Shoulder dystocia was defined as the impossibility of delivering the fetal shoulders by standard procedures. Controls were 142 women vaginally delivering during the same period without experiencing shoulder dystocia. Cases and controls were matched for parity (primi-/multipara) and birthweight (+/-250 g). Women with diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes or a history of shoulder dystocia in a previous birth were excluded. The BMI and selected obstetric data were extracted from an internal database in the department. RESULTS: Delivery was performed using McRoberts maneuvre (42%), Woods screw (50%) or by primary delivery of the posterior arm (8%). Women experiencing shoulder dystocia had significantly more labor augmentation and more instrumental deliveries. No differences were shown in the prevalence of low Apgarscores. The proportion of children with Erbs palsy and clavicular fracture was very close to be significantly different in cases or controls. However, these data does not allow any conclusion. The distribution of BMI was equal in cases and controls. CONCLUSION: Non-diabetic women experiencing shoulder dystocia do not have a higher BMI than non-diabetic women delivering without this experience, given a fixed fetal weight.

Birth Weight↗

Shoulder dystocia and brachial plexus injury: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: To evaluate risk factors for shoulder dystocia and brachial plexus injury using a case-control study at the departments of obstetrics and gynecology at the four largest hospitals in southern Sweden. All cases of shoulder dystocia between 1987 and 1993 inclusive were identified. For each case, two control infants with similar birthweight (+/- 100 g) and identical year of birth were randomly selected. METHODS: Original maternal records were reviewed and information regarding 10 potential risk factors was extracted. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel method. Stratification was made for year of delivery, parity (0, I, II, III+), and maternal age (5-year class). RESULTS: In all, 107 infants with shoulder dystocia and 198 controls were included. The OR was greater than unity for all risk factors except gestational age. Three of the risk factors, induction of labor, epidural analgesia, and instrumental delivery, reached statistical significance. Thirty-four infants also suffered brachial plexus injury, giving a brachial plexus injury rate of 32% among the shoulder dystocia cases. We also made a separate analysis of the nine risk factors for brachial plexus injury following a shoulder dystocia, however none reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: In this case-control study based on more than 100,000 deliveries at four large hospitals during a 7-year period, induction of labor, epidural analgesia, and instrumental delivery turned out to be significant risk factors for shoulder dystocia. For brachial plexus injury following shoulder dystocia, no significant risk factor was identified.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

An investigation into the feasibility of comparing three management options (augmentation, conservative and water) for nulliparae with dystocia in the first stage of labour.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) examining the effect of three options (augmentation, conservative and water) for the management of dystocia in nulliparae. The main objectives were to explore the feasibility of trial procedures in the clinical environment, consent rates and acceptability of the management options to women, local incidence of dystocia in nulliparae and the size of the subsequent study. DESIGN: a two part study: a pilot, RCT with follow-up through to delivery with postnatal maternal surveys, and a case review of nulliparae with dystocia. SETTING: a large maternity unit in the South of England in May-July 1997 inclusive. PARTICIPANTS: nulliparae with dystocia in the first stage of labour who had an otherwise uncomplicated obstetric background. INTERVENTIONS: women in the pilot RCT received one of three management options: labouring in a waterbirth pool, conservative management or augmentation of labour, which is the standard management of women with dystocia condition in the Unit. FINDINGS: it is feasible to conduct an RCT of management of dystocia in the Unit. Seventy per cent (95% confidence interval 47% to 87%) of women approached agreed to participate. Conservative management was the least acceptable option to women and has been dropped from the subsequent trial. The audit provided some idea of possible differences in operative delivery and epidural rates depending on augmentation or not. A sample of 220 women should be large enough to detect moderate changes and will require a 2-year recruitment period. CONCLUSIONS: a subsequent trial is feasible and is now underway. It has the potential to provide information enabling women and practitioners to have a greater choice of care options in the presence of dystocia, or provide a good basis for an even larger trial.

Baths↗

Shoulder dystocia: could it be deduced from the labor partogram?

The study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that shoulder dystocia might be suspected and reliably identified from the labor partogram. A retrospective analysis of 52 consecutive patients with shoulder dystocia was performed. The 52 controls were the next consecutive parturient matched for maternal age, gestational age at delivery, parity, presentation, and infants weight at delivery. The mean dilation rate was 2.1 +/- 1.9 cm/hr in shoulder dystocia group compared to 2.4 +/- 1.5 cm/hr in the control group. The incidence of protracted rate of less than 1 cm/hr was 14.3% in shoulder dystocia group and 13.5% in the control group. The mean duration of second stage was 38.3 +/- 30.7 minutes in the shoulder dystocia group compared to 35.5 +/- 32.5 minutes in the control group. Only 1.9% have had a prolonged second stage (more than 2 hours) in the shoulder dystocia group compared to 1.9% in the control group. The difference between the groups regarding the length of labor was not statistically significant. We conclude that protracted labor does not seem to be a risk factor for shoulder dystocia.

Adult↗

Risk factors and fetal outcome in cases of shoulder dystocia compared with normal deliveries of a similar birthweight.

OBJECTIVES: To compare risk factors and fetal morbidity in deliveries complicated by shoulder dystocia with deliveries of similar infant birthweights but not complicated by shoulder dystocia. DESIGN: A retrospective case-controlled study. SETTING: Kuwait Maternity Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-nine cases of true shoulder dystocia and 138 controls matched for exact infant's birthweight. METHODS: Demographic data and data regarding history of previous shoulder dystocia, diabetes mellitus, labour course, method of delivery and newborns' condition were collected from patients and case notes following delivery. The mothers' height and weight were measured. Oral glucose tolerance test were performed on patients who were not known as diabetics. The infants' head and chest circumferences and bisacromial diameter were measured. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between cases and controls when mean age, parity, height, weight and gestational ages were compared. The cases demonstrated a higher incidence of previous shoulder dystocia (P < 0.01), diabetes mellitus (P < 0.001), use of oxytocin for acceleration of labour (P < 0.01) and operative vaginal deliveries (P < 0.01). Differences between cases and controls in their newborn infants' head and chest circumferences were not significant, but the newborns of cases have a longer mean bisacromial diameter and a shorter head circumference:bisacromial diameter ratio (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Thirty-seven infants (53.6%) from cases and two from controls (1.4%) sustained birth injuries. There were two stillbirths among the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although fetal macrosomia is the principal risk factor for shoulder dystocia, other important risk factors include diabetes mellitus, previous history of shoulder dystocia, prolonged labour, delay in the second stage of labour and fetal shoulder width which appear to be independent of fetal weight.

Adult↗

Effects of selection strategies using heifer pelvic area and sire birth weight expected progeny difference on dystocia in first-calf heifers.

A stochastic computer simulation model was developed to evaluate the effects of selection strategies based on heifer pelvic area and sire birth weight EPD on dystocia in first-calf heifers. Parameters and relationships used were taken from the literature. Unrelated sets of yearling heifers were simulated. Replacement heifer selection was based on breeding the top 40, 60, 80 or 100% (i.e., no selection) of available heifers as determined by yearling pelvic area (YRLGPA). Selected heifers were bred to bulls that were selected based on EPD for birth weight (SEPD). Levels of SEPD were -2.7, -1.8, -.9, 0, .9, and 1.8 kg. Simulated responses included precalving pelvic area, calf birth weight, calving difficulty score (1, 2, 3, 4), and incidence of dystocia (0, 1). Both measures of dystocia were predicted from the ratio of precalving pelvic area to calf birth weight. Simulated data were analyzed using least squares procedures. The effects of SEPD were significant (P < .05) for birth weight, calving difficulty score, and the frequency of dystocia. Differences among levels of heifer selection for YRLGPA were significant for YRLGPA, precalving pelvic area, birth weight, and calving difficulty score but not for the frequency of dystocia. Based on partial regressions calculated from weighted replication means, a 1-kg decrease in SEPD will decrease average calving difficulty score by .12 units and decrease the frequency of dystocia by 4%, whereas each 10% increase in selection pressure on YRLGPA will reduce the average calving difficulty score by only .02 units and have no detectable effect on the frequency of dystocia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗

Effects of twinning on gestation length, retained placenta, and dystocia.

Constraints to maximal productivity from twinning in beef cattle include increased incidence of dystocia and retained placenta, longer postpartum interval, and lower conception rate. Incidence and cause(s) of the shorter gestation length and of the increased retained placenta and dystocia associated with twinning were evaluated for 3,370 single and 1,014 twin births produced in a population of cattle selected for natural twin births. Gestation length was shorter for twin than for single pregnancies (275.6 vs. 281.3 d, P<.01) and likely contributed to the higher incidence of retained placenta associated with twin births (27.9 vs. 1.9%; P<.01). Incidence of retained placenta was also higher in the spring (March-April) than in the fall (August-September) calving season (18.3 vs. 11.4%; P<.01). The higher incidence of dystocia with twins than with singles (46.9 vs. 20.6%, P<.01) was primarily due to abnormal presentation (37.0 vs. 4.5%, respectively) of one or both twin calves at parturition. First- (40.5%) and second- (22.7%) parity dams with a single birth had more (P<.01) dystocia than older dams (13.4%), whereas dystocia was not affected (P>.10) by parity with twin births. Because of the shorter gestation length and the increased incidence of retained placenta and(or) dystocia, achievement of increased productivity with twinning in cattle necessitates intensive management of twin-producing dams and their calves during the calving season. Management of the increased dystocia can be facilitated by preparturient diagnosis of twin pregnancies, enabling timely administration of obstetrical assistance to facilitate delivery of twin calves and to increase their neonatal survival.

Animals↗

[Newborn shoulder width: physiological variations and predictive value for shoulder dystocia].

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine maternal and infant characteristics affecting newborn shoulder width (NSW) and to evaluate the predictive value of NSW measurement in cases of shoulder dystocia. DESIGN: NSW was systematically measured at birth during a period of 18 months. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Saint-Antoine University Hospital (Paris-France). POPULATION: A total of 2.222 NSW measurements were performed and 22 cases of true shoulder dystocia occurred during the study period. METHODS: NSW measurements were reviewed and correlated with maternal age, parity, nonpregnant weight, weight gain during pregnancy, height, race, fasting glucose and one hour glucose levels, gestational age, birthweight and sex of the neonate. A Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate NSW as a test for predicting shoulder dystocia. RESULTS: The mean NSW was 122.06 mm +/-0.50 SD. Stepwise multiple regression showed that NSW was significantly associated with birthweight (p<0.001), parity (p = 0.04), and nonpregnant weight (p = 0.04). We estimated that the best cut-off for shoulder dystocia prediction was a NSW measurement with a low false positive rate (<10%) in association with a high sensitivity rate. Therefore, NSW measurement above or equal to 140 mm was selected. This measurement should have a low sensitivity of 27.27%, a specificity of 91.82%, a positive predictive value of 4.02%, and a predictive negative value of 99.01% for shoulder dystocia prediction. Nevertheless, birthweight above or equal to 4000 g should retrospectively have a better predictive value for shoulder dystocia. CONCLUSIONS: NSW measurement, which is strongly correlated with birth weight, still remains a poor predictor for shoulder dystocia, even when this evaluation is correct antenatally.

Anthropometry↗

Fetal shoulder dystocia.

Shoulder dystocia is an unpredictable obstetric complication with the incidence of 0.15% to 2%. An increase in the incidence of shoulder dystocia has been recorded over the last 20 years, probably just because it has now been regularly registered at maternity wards as an obstetric complication. The risk factors for shoulder dystocia include fetal macrosomia, fetal malformations and tumors, maternal adiposity, excessive weight gain during pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, pathologic pelvis, multiparity, short maternal stature, advanced maternal age, postterm pregnancy, so-called midforceps delivery or vacuum extraction, prolonged delivery stage II, oxytocin labor induction, premature fetal expression according to Kristeller, and previous shoulder dystocia in macrosomatic children. The sequels of shoulder dystocia and obstetric maneuvers for incarcerated shoulder release include clavicular fracture, brachial plexus lesions, sternocleidomastoid muscle distension with or without hematoma, diaphragmatic paralysis, Horner's syndrome, peripartal asphyxia and consequential cerebral lesions (cerebral palsy), and peripartal death. Maternal complications due to shoulder dystocia are postpartal hemorrhage, cervical and vaginal lacerations, frequent infections during the puerperium, symphysiolysis and rupture of the uterus, and secondary cesarean section with related complications due to unsuccessful obstetric procedures or as continuation of Zavanelli's maneuver. McRoberts' maneuver (or Gaskin maneuver) is recommended as the initial procedure for shoulder release in case of shoulder dystocia. If it fails, other obstetric procedures such as Resnik's suprapubic pressure and Woods' grip with posteriorly placed arm release should be used, always with gross lateral episiotomy. The performance of all these obstetric procedures requires skilfull and highly experienced obstetrician and obstetric team as a whole.

Delivery, Obstetric↗

Emergent management of shoulder dystocia.

It is clear that in the vast majority of cases, shoulder dystocia cannot be predicted by the physician. Although macrosomia is strongly associated with shoulder dystocia in retrospective analyses, there are no clinical or sonographic parameters that can reliably and prospectively identify the individual macrosomic fetus. Furthermore, more than 98% of patients with macrosomic fetuses who deliver vaginally do not have shoulder dystocia. Some investigators have advocated the use of cesarean delivery for suspected macrosomic fetuses to avoid potential birth trauma during vaginal delivery; however, this strategy has not been shown to be beneficial in the majority of cases. Boyd and colleagues report that an increase in the cesarean delivery rate for suspected macrosomia from 8% in the 1960s to 21% in 1980 did not improve overall perinatal outcome among macrosomic infants. Since 50% to 90% of cases of shoulder dystocia occur in normally grown fetuses, cesarean delivery for all suspected macrosomic fetuses would not be expected to prevent the vast majority of cases of shoulder dystocia and would expose many mothers to a substantially increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Management of this complex problem requires clinical judgment by the well-trained physician and individualized care for each patient. Because shoulder dystocia remains unpredictable in almost all cases, when it does occur it must be managed expeditiously but carefully with one or more of the maneuvers described. The sequence of manipulations reported herein represents one way of managing shoulder dystocia (Fig. 11). As noted before, however, there are no data to support improved efficacy of one particular sequence over another. The sequence of maneuvers chosen by the clinician should be based on the algorithm with which he or she is most familiar and which has proven successful in their hands. Permanent injury to the fetus fortunately is rare but does occur even in the well-managed case.

Delivery, Obstetric↗

An analysis of risk factors for the prediction of shoulder dystocia in 16,471 consecutive births.

This paper is a univariate analysis of the demographic, antepartum and intrapartum risk factors in a series of 16,471 consecutive deliveries in a tertiary obstetric and gynaecological unit in Singapore. In total, 12,229 term vaginal cephalic deliveries with 77 cases of shoulder dystocia were entered into the study for analysis. The incidence of shoulder dystocia was found to be 0.63% of all term vaginal cephalic deliveries. There is a direct relationship between increasing infant birthweight and incidence of shoulder dystocia. The critical birthweight for the prediction of shoulder dystocia is 3600 g. In order of decreasing relative risks, the factors which appear to be predictive of shoulder dystocia are a birthweight in excess of 3600 g, diabetes in pregnancy, lower social class, of Indian origin, maternal weight in excess of 70 kg, parity more than 4, and the use of oxytocics during labour. The local birthweight distribution is very different from the West. A policy for elective caesarean section for birthweights in excess of 4000 g (97% tile) would prevent 44% of shoulder dystocias, increase the caesarean section rate by 2% and half the perinatal mortality among births with shoulder dystocia.

Adult↗

Can shoulder dystocia be predicted? Preconceptive and prenatal factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictability of shoulder dystocia using preconceptive and prenatal risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: Data from 1,622 term patients with prenatal care prior to 20 weeks who delivered single, vertex fetuses during a consecutive 12-month period were analyzed. Two groups were chosen. The first group was patients whose fetuses experienced shoulder dystocia during delivery (cases). The second group (controls) consisted of the remaining patients, whose fetuses had not experienced shoulder dystocia. The two groups were compared with regard to demographics and pregnancy characteristics. RESULTS: Factors not significantly different between the two groups included were obesity, multiparity, history of diabetes, short maternal stature, postdatism and advanced maternal age. The incidence of macrosomia was significantly higher (P < .001) in cases (35.4%) than in controls (4.8%). Other factors associated with shoulder dystocia were previous shoulder dystocia, concurrent diabetes, prior delivery of a fetus > 4,000 g and excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Many factors previously associated with shoulder dystocia were found to be nonsignificant in our study. CONCLUSION: Macrosomia appears to be the single important factor associated with shoulder dystocia which, even in the presence of significant risk factors, remains largely unpredictable.

Adolescent↗

Relationship between plasma progesterone in late gestation and the incidence of dystocia in romney ewes.

Thirty-eight percent (6 16 ) of the ewes with a previous history of dystocia and 15% (2 13 ) of the ewes with no dystocia in 4 lambings, had difficult births in 1976. Despite large variations in plasma progesterone concentrations among ewes at the same stage of gestation there were no differences in the progesterone concentration during the last 30 days of gestation for both single- and twin-bearing ewes with or without a history of dystocia, nor for single-bearing ewes with or without a dystocia. The progesterone concentrations declined during the last 10 days before parturition in ewes with and without dystocia. The lambs from single-bearing ewes with a dystocia did not have heavier birth weights than the lambs from single-bearing ewes without a dystocia.

Journal Article↗

Is macrosomia predictable, and are shoulder dystocia and birth trauma preventable?

OBJECTIVE: To assess our ability to detect macrosomic fetuses, and to examine the relationship between prenatal diagnosis of macrosomia and the incidence of shoulder dystocia and birth trauma. METHODS: We instituted a protocol for routine detection of macrosomic fetuses, defined as weight estimated to be at least 4500 g. Fetal weight was estimated by ultrasonography when there was clinical suspicion of macrosomia. We collected data on these pregnancies as well as on deliveries of macrosomic infants, shoulder dystocia, and birth trauma. RESULTS: During the 14-month study period, there were 4480 deliveries. There were 23 macrosomic newborns (0.5%), of whom 17 were born vaginally. Six of these 17 (35%) vaginal deliveries were complicated by shoulder dystocia, and one infant sustained brachial plexus injury. The overall frequency of shoulder dystocia was 2%, the majority (93%) occurring in infants weighing less than 4500 g. Eleven newborns sustained brachial plexus injury (0.2%), and 39 had isolated clavicular fracture. Six of nine cephalic deliveries that resulted in brachial plexus injury were associated with shoulder dystocia. The sensitivity and predictive value of the study protocol were 17% (four of 23) and 36% (four of 11), respectively. Surprisingly, clinical estimation alone had a sensitivity of 43% (ten of 23) and a positive predictive value of 53% (ten of 19). CONCLUSION: The ability to predict macrosomia is limited. The predictive value of clinical estimation of fetal weight alone may be slightly higher than when it is combined with ultrasonography. Because most cases of shoulder dystocia and birth trauma occur in nonmacrosomic infants, these conditions are practically impossible to prevent.

Birth Injuries↗

Is abnormal labor associated with shoulder dystocia in nulliparous women?

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between labor abnormalities and shoulder dystocia in nulliparous women. STUDY DESIGN: Nulliparous women whose delivery was complicated by shoulder dystocia were studied and compared with a control group selected based on the best possible match for race, labor type (spontaneous or induced), and birth weight. The duration of first and second stage of labor, as well as the rates of labor progress, were calculated and compared between groups. RESULTS: During this 4-year study period, there were 8010 nulliparous singleton deliveries of which 65 (0.8%) were complicated by shoulder dystocia. Compared with controls, there was no difference in the rate of cervical dilation in the active phase of the first stage of labor. In the shoulder dystocia group, more patients had a second stage of labor greater than 2 hours (22% vs 3%; P <.05) and had operative vaginal deliveries (26% vs 1.5%; P <.001). In shoulder dystocia cases with birth weight greater than 4000 g, 33% had a second stage of labor greater than 2 hours. CONCLUSION: In our population, the combination of fetal macrosomia, second stage of labor longer than 2 hours and the use of operative vaginal delivery were associated with shoulder dystocia in nulliparous women.

Adult↗