Introduction: Shoulder dystocia is a life threatening emergency in obstetrics, which can have serious concequnces fot the woman and the child. For a optimum completion of the delivery, a quick and oragnized response from all health professionalis is needed. Shoulder dystocia occurs when the childs anterior shoulder is trapped behind the mothers symphysis pubis and thus spontaneous delivery is halted. Some authors define shoulder dystocia according to the time from the birth of the head to the birth of the shoulders. Risk factors are hard to define with this birth complication. Literature lists that specific risk factors of the mother or the child can contribute to the occurance of shoulder dystocia. At the beginning of the delivery problems or signs that could predict shoulder dystocia are very hard to recognize. In Slovenia for solving shoulder dystocia, we use HELPERR mnemonic for help, which takes us through all the steps that are needed to successfully complete the birth. Purpose: The purpose of this diploma is to better understand shoulder dystocia by literature review. With this work we wish to define how shoulder dystocia can be recognized based on signs and in more detail learn about the maneuvers for solving it. Methods: A descriptive working method was used in the diploma, with an overview of the scientific and professional literature. For collecting data, both domestic and foreign databases where used: DiKul, COBISS, Google Books, Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline. The articles were chosen based on the age of the article, access to the whole text, adequacy of the content and the language of the text. Results: A great deal of literature on shoulder dystocia is in the field of midwifery and obstetrics. The content depends mainly on what experiences the authors have with shoulder dystocia. There are many controversial opinions about primary maneuvers to deal with this complication. Opposing thoughts can also be found with risk factors and predictors. Discussion and conclusion: Knowledge of shoulder dystocia is important for all health prefessionals who are involved in childbirth. Non-invasive interventions are conducted before invasive maneuvers are tried for resolving shoulder dystocia. There are many risk factors that can lead to shoulder dystocia. Interventions done by health professionals can also lead to shoulder dystocia. Some symptoms and signs are very specific and are easy to recognize, on the other hand some are generic and are very hard too identify.
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