02 April 2017 02 Apr 2017

Management of shoulder dystocia using the HELPERR mnemonic

Shoulder dystocia occurs when a fetal shoulder becomes impacted, most commonly on the maternal symphysis pubis, or the sacral promontory of the maternal pelvis (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), 2012) The RCOG reports that it is not common, occurring in between 058% and 070% of vaginal births This does, however, constitute an obstetric emergency, as the bony dystocia will result in failure of delivery of the fetal shoulders following delivery of the head (Coates, 2014)