Shoulder presentation
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's weight loss doctor NYC
Philadelphia GLP-1 weight loss and GLP-1 clinic NYC
| Shoulder presentation | |
|---|---|
| File:Smellie 32.jpg | |
| Synonyms | |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Abnormal fetal position |
| Complications | Obstructed labor, fetal distress |
| Onset | |
| Duration | |
| Types | |
| Causes | Multiple pregnancy, polyhydramnios, uterine abnormalities |
| Risks | |
| Diagnosis | Ultrasound, physical examination |
| Differential diagnosis | Breech presentation, cephalic presentation |
| Prevention | |
| Treatment | Cesarean section, external cephalic version |
| Medication | |
| Prognosis | |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Deaths | N/A |
Shoulder presentation is a type of malpresentation in which the fetus is positioned with its shoulder pointing towards the birth canal. This condition is a form of transverse lie, where the fetus lies horizontally in the uterus rather than the typical cephalic presentation (head-first) or breech presentation (buttocks or feet first).
Causes[edit]
Shoulder presentation can be caused by several factors, including:
- Multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
- Polyhydramnios (excessive amniotic fluid)
- Uterine abnormalities such as fibroids or congenital malformations
- Placenta previa, where the placenta covers the cervix
- Premature labor, where the fetus has not yet assumed the head-down position
Diagnosis[edit]
Shoulder presentation is typically diagnosed through:
- Physical examination: The healthcare provider may feel the shoulder during a pelvic exam.
- Ultrasound: Imaging can confirm the position of the fetus.
- Leopold's maneuvers: A series of abdominal palpations to determine fetal position.
Complications[edit]
Shoulder presentation can lead to several complications, including:
- Obstructed labor
- Increased risk of cesarean section
- Umbilical cord prolapse
- Fetal distress
Management[edit]
Management of shoulder presentation may involve:
- Attempting an external cephalic version (ECV) to turn the fetus to a head-down position.
- Planning for a cesarean section if the fetus cannot be repositioned.
- Close monitoring of the pregnancy to manage any arising complications.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
External links[edit]
This obstetrics related article is a stub.
