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Recurrent shoulder dystocia: is it predictable?

  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To examine the course and outcome of deliveries occurring in women who previously experienced shoulder dystocia. In addition, recurrent shoulder dystocia risk factors were assessed.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis comparing all singleton deliveries with and without shoulder dystocia in their preceding delivery was conducted. Independent predictors of recurrent shoulder dystocia were investigated using a multiple logistic regression model.

Results

Of the 201,422 deliveries included in the analysis, 307 occurred in women with a previous shoulder dystocia (0.015 %). Women with a history of shoulder dystocia were more likely to be older, experienced higher rates of gestational diabetes mellitus, polyhydramnios, prolonged second stage, operative delivery and macrosomia (>4000 g) in the following delivery. Previous shoulder dystocia was found to be an independent risk factor for recurrent shoulder dystocia (OR = 6.1, 95 % CI 3.2–11.8, p value <0.001) in the multivariable regression analysis.

Conclusions

Shoulder dystocia is an independent risk factor for recurrent shoulder dystocia. Deliveries in women with a history of shoulder dystocia are characterized by higher rates of operative delivery, prolonged second stage of labor and macrosomia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Vered Kleitman, Roi Feldman, Asnat Walfisch & Eyal Sheiner

  2. Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Ronen Toledano

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, 151 Izak Rager Ave, 84101, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Vered Kleitman

Authors
  1. Vered Kleitman
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  2. Roi Feldman
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  3. Asnat Walfisch
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  4. Ronen Toledano
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  5. Eyal Sheiner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vered Kleitman.

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This study has no funding.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Kleitman, V., Feldman, R., Walfisch, A. et al. Recurrent shoulder dystocia: is it predictable?. Arch Gynecol Obstet 294, 1161–1166 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4139-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4139-1

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