Re: [ozmidwifery] Shoulder Dystocia??

[Mary Murphy]

Denise, tight shoulders can be caused by the position of the woman and being on the bed as well as a big chubby baby.  Lots of research shows that a good proportion of "shoulder dystocia" is with babies under 4kg... about 3.8kg I think.  .  The soft tissues are as important as the bony pelvis.  I read some research on that recently, just have to remember where.  Shoulder dystocia is when there needs to be multiple manouvers and LOTS of grunt work to free the shoulder.  If it is just tight shoulders then getting the woman over on to the hands and knees position (the Gaskin manouvre) can do the trick.  As you know, my daughter has BIG babies (5.2kg) and she just instinctively takes up the kneeling upright position and leaning on the edge of the water tub.  But you know all this!   cheers, MM