The question as to whether or not women who have had a shoulder dystocia in a previous delivery are more likely to have one again in a subsequent delivery is an extremely important one as it will help guide how future deliveries in these women are managed.

It appears from the literature that the risk of recurrent shoulder dystocia is substantial: 10 to 15% (Lewis, 1995; Usta, 2008; Overland, 2009). Kleitman (2016) reported that previous shoulder dystocia was found to be an independent risk factor for recurrent shoulder dystocia with an odds ratio of 6:1. Moreover, women who have had a shoulder dystocia delivery that resulted in injury to the fetus have an even greater risk of having a recurrent shoulder dystocia with fetal injury.

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