Device for treating shoulder dystocia

1. A method of treating shoulder dystocia comprising the steps of:

providing a device having first and second arms and an engagement section extending between the arms;

inserting the device into a birth canal adjacent a baby;

manipulating the first and second arms so the engagement section applies a force on the baby to free a shoulder of the baby from a pubic arch for delivery; and

inserting the first and second arms in a first position where they are closer to one another and subsequently moving the first and second arms away from each other so they are further apart, and the engagement section has a distal section less flexible than a proximal section.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of rotating the first and second arms to rotate the baby to an oblique diameter of a pelvis.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting the first and second arms includes inserting the arms below the posterior shoulder of the baby.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of manipulating the first and second arms applies a downward force on one or both of the shoulder of the baby and chest of the baby.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting the device includes inserting the first and second arms under the pubic arch and directly between the shoulder of the baby and the pubic arch.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting the first and second arms includes inserting the arms in an unspread position along a side of a neck and back of the baby and subsequently maneuvering the engagement section with the first and second arms in the unspread position so the engagement section contacts the shoulder of the baby.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal section of the engagement section has a first width and the proximal section has a second width, the first width being less than the second width.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the engagement section has a reinforcement strip configured for a user to press to advance the engagement section over the shoulder of the baby.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of moving the arms away from each other moves the engagement section to a more spread position.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second arms have handle portions including a solid surface, and the step of manipulating the first and second arms is performed by manipulating the handle portions to pivot proximal portions of the first and second arms downwardly to force the engagement section downwardly.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the handle portions are manipulable to rotate the shoulder of the baby to an oblique diameter of a pelvis.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting the device inserts the device with the engagement section in a spread position.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second arms are configured for manipulation requiring both hands of the user, each arm manipulated by one hand of the user.

14. A method of claim 1 , wherein the first arm has a proximal portion and a distal portion, the first arm having a first curved surface and configured to be inserted between the baby and the pubic arch, and the second arm has a proximal portion and a distal portion, the second arm having a second curved surface and configured to be inserted between the baby and the pubic arch.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second arms have a curve to accommodate curvature of maternal pubic bone and symphysis pubis and contour of the shoulder of the baby.

16. A method of treating shoulder dystocia comprising the steps of:

providing a device having first and second arms and an engagement section extending between the arms;

inserting the device into a birth canal adjacent a baby; and

manipulating the first and second arms so the engagement section applies a force on the baby to free a shoulder of the baby from a pubic arch for delivery, wherein a lower surface of the engagement section has a non-smooth surface to enhance gripping of the shoulder of the baby, wherein the application of the force on the baby presses the non-smooth surface against the shoulder of the baby.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of inserting the first and second arms in a first position where they are closer to one another and subsequently moving the first and second arms away from each other so they are further apart, and the engagement section has a distal section less flexible than a proximal section.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the engagement section comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the second section is more flexible than the first section, the second section positioned proximal of the first section and the first section contacts the baby to apply the force on the baby to manipulate the baby and the second section conforms to the shoulder of the baby.

19. A method of treating shoulder dystocia comprising the steps of:

providing a device having first and second arms and an engagement section extending between the arms;

inserting the device into a birth canal adjacent a baby; and

manipulating the first and second arms so the engagement section applies a force on the baby to free a shoulder of the baby from the pubic arch for delivery, wherein an atraumatic surface of the engagement section contacts one or both of the shoulder of the baby or a chest of the baby to move the baby downwardly away from the pubic arch to free the shoulder of the baby from the pubic arch to enable delivery of the baby, wherein such downward pressure on the baby is effected by movement of the arms.

20. The device of claim 14 , wherein the first arm includes a third curved surface distal of the first curved surface and the second arm includes a fourth curved surface distal of the second curved surface, the second and fourth curved surfaces providing a curved distal end of the first and second arms.