Dystocia

Dystocia (antonymeutocia) is an abnormal or difficult childbirth. Pregnancieswhich result in some form of dystocia often lead to assisted deliveries including forceps, ventouseor, commonly, caesarian section.

Shoulder dystocia is a specific case of this complication whereby the anterior shoulderof the infantcannot pass below, or requires significant manipulation to pass below, the pubic symphysis. It is diagnosed when the shoulders fail to deliver shortly after the fetal head.

Although the definition is imprecise, it occurs in approximately 1% of vaginal births. There are well-recognised risk factors, but it is often difficult to predict with accuracy (Breeze and Lees, 2004). Despite appropriate obstetric management, fetal injury (such as brachial plexus injury) or even fetal death can be a complication of this obstetric emergency.

Dystocia in cattle

Dystocia in cattle ocures mainly due to two main factors

• Meternal cause: Uterine inertia, Vaginal prolapse
• Foetal cause: Mainly due to abnormal foetal presentation,position and posture

See also

• Klumpke paralysis
• Erb's Palsy

foetal dystocia is more common in cattle for which foetotomy is very useful

References

Breeze AC, Lees CC (2004). Managing shoulder dystocia. Lancet 364, 2160-1[1]

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It uses material from the Wikipedia article Dystocia.