Which maneuver is primarily used during shoulder dystocia management?

The McRoberts maneuver is a primary intervention used in the management of shoulder dystocia, which occurs when the fetal shoulder becomes stuck behind the maternal pubic symphysis during delivery. This maneuver involves flexing the mother’s hips sharply toward her abdomen, which can help widen the pelvic outlet and create more space for the baby’s shoulders to maneuver past the pubic bone. By reducing the angle of the pelvis, this technique often aids in dislodging the impacted shoulder and facilitating delivery.

In contrast, while fundal pressure, supra-pubic pressure, and posterior arm delivery are techniques that may be employed in the context of shoulder dystocia, they are not the first-line methods and may not address the underlying issue as effectively as the McRoberts maneuver. Fundal pressure applies pressure on the fundus of the uterus, which may not resolve the shoulder impaction. Supra-pubic pressure involves applying pressure above the pubic bone to manipulate the shoulder, but the effectiveness of this technique can be variable. Posterior arm delivery is a specific technique where the arm is guided or extracted to free the shoulder but is generally considered when other methods have already been attempted or if more direct intervention is necessary.

Thus, the McRoberts maneuver stands out as