McRoberts maneuver explained

The McRoberts maneuver is an obstetrical maneuver used to assist in childbirth. It is named after William A. McRoberts, Jr.^[1] It is employed in case of shoulder dystocia during childbirth and involves hyperflexing the mother's legs tightly to her abdomen. It is effective due to the increased mobility at the sacroiliac joint during pregnancy, allowing rotation of the pelvis and facilitating the release of the fetal shoulder.^[2] If this maneuver does not succeed, an assistant applies pressure on the lower abdomen (suprapubic pressure). Current guidelines strongly recommend against pulling on the infants head, as this could lead to brachial plexus injury. Instead, support while keeping the neck straight is indicated. The technique is effective in about 42% of cases. ^[3] Note that suprapubic pressure and McRobert's maneuver together will resolve 90% of cases.^[4]

See also

• Wood's screw maneuver
• Zavanelli maneuver
• Shoulder dystocia
• Treatment of shoulder dystocia
• The mechanics of birth

Notes and References

1. Gonik . B. . Stringer . C. A. . Held . B. . An alternate maneuver for management of shoulder dystocia . American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology . 145 . 7 . 882–884 . 1983 . 6837666 . 10.1016/0002-9378(83)90694-4 .
2. Gherman . R. B. . Tramont . J. . Muffley . P. . Goodwin . T. M. . Analysis of McRoberts' maneuver by x-ray pelvimetry . Obstetrics and Gynecology . 95 . 1 . 43–47 . 2000 . 10636500 . 10.1016/s0029-7844(99)00445-7. 2430403 .
3. Book: Kish, Karen. Joseph V. Collea. Alan H. DeCherney. Lauren Nathan. Current Obstetric & Gynecologic Diagnosis & Treatment. Ninth. 2003. Lange/McGraw-Hill. 0-07-118207-1. 381–382. Malpresentation & Cord Prolaps (Chapter 21).
4. Leung . TY . Stuart . O . Suen . SSH . Sahota . DS . Lau . TK . Lao . TT . 2011-04-12 . Comparison of perinatal outcomes of shoulder dystocia alleviated by different type and sequence of manoeuvres: a retrospective review . BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology . 118 . 8 . 985–990 . 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.02968.x . 21481159 . 44428276 . 1470-0328.