Woods' screw maneuver
Encyclopedia
Woods' screw maneuver is practiced in obstetrics
when dealing with shoulder dystocia
—a condition in which the fetal
shoulders cannot easily pass through the vagina
. In this maneuver the anterior shoulder
is pushed towards the baby's chest, and the posterior shoulder
is pushed towards the baby's back, making the baby's head somewhat face the mother's rectum.
This maneuver is tried only after the McRoberts maneuver
, and application of suprapubic (lower abdomen) pressure have been tried.
Obstetrics
Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
when dealing with shoulder dystocia
Shoulder dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a specific case of dystocia whereby after the delivery of the head, the anterior shoulder of the infant cannot pass below the pubic symphysis, or requires significant manipulation to pass below the pubic symphysis. It is diagnosed when the shoulders fail to deliver shortly...
—a condition in which the fetal
Fetus
A fetus is a developing mammal or other viviparous vertebrate after the embryonic stage and before birth.In humans, the fetal stage of prenatal development starts at the beginning of the 11th week in gestational age, which is the 9th week after fertilization.-Etymology and spelling variations:The...
shoulders cannot easily pass through the vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
. In this maneuver the anterior shoulder
Anterior shoulder
Anterior shoulder in obstetrics refers to that shoulder of the fetus that faces the pubic symphysis of the mother during delivery. Depending upon the original position of the fetus, either the left or the right shoulder can be the anterior shoulder. It is known as the anterior shoulder as it faces...
is pushed towards the baby's chest, and the posterior shoulder
Posterior shoulder
Posterior shoulder in obstetrics refers to the shoulder of the fetus other than the anterior shoulder. Thus, the posterior shoulder faces the rectum of the mother during delivery. Whether left or the right shoulder becomes the posterior shoulder is dependent upon the original position of the fetus....
is pushed towards the baby's back, making the baby's head somewhat face the mother's rectum.
This maneuver is tried only after the McRoberts maneuver
McRoberts maneuver
The McRoberts maneuver is employed in case of shoulder dystocia during childbirth and involves hyperflexing the mother's legs tightly to her abdomen. This widens the pelvis, and flattens the spine in the lower back . If this maneuver does not succeed, an assistant applies pressure on the lower...
, and application of suprapubic (lower abdomen) pressure have been tried.
See also
- McRoberts maneuverMcRoberts maneuverThe McRoberts maneuver is employed in case of shoulder dystocia during childbirth and involves hyperflexing the mother's legs tightly to her abdomen. This widens the pelvis, and flattens the spine in the lower back . If this maneuver does not succeed, an assistant applies pressure on the lower...
- Zavanelli maneuverZavanelli maneuverZavanelli maneuver is an obstetric maneuver that involves pushing back the delivered fetal head into the birth canal in anticipation of performing a cesarean section in case of shoulder dystocia....
- Shoulder dystociaShoulder dystociaShoulder dystocia is a specific case of dystocia whereby after the delivery of the head, the anterior shoulder of the infant cannot pass below the pubic symphysis, or requires significant manipulation to pass below the pubic symphysis. It is diagnosed when the shoulders fail to deliver shortly...
- Treatment of shoulder dystocia
- The mechanics of birth