Does NO use of Stirrups=Shoulder Dystocia

[LizzyL&DRN]

I was wondering what other OBRNs thought of this issue. I have been an OB nurse for over 1 year and I am suprised at the number of shoulder dystocias I have seen in that short time. Every single one I've seen the doc preferred to deliver in the bed without breaking it down for use of the stirrups. I'm interested in what other experiences you've all had with it.

[palesarah]

Rarely use stirrups. Many of our docs don't break the bed down and those that do still don't use the stirrups. We do 100-125 deliverie/month and rarely see a dystocia. I think the last one we had while I was at work was several months ago.

I just got a chuckle, remembering the last time I had to break down a bed- one of the OBs was pregnant and liked having the beds broken down because it gave her a place to fit her belly :chuckle