What is a key indicator of successful resolution of shoulder dystocia?

The key indicator of a successful resolution of shoulder dystocia is the spontaneous expulsion of the fetal head. This is a critical moment during labor when, after addressing the shoulder dystocia, the fetal head emerges from the birth canal, indicating that the impaction has been resolved and the newborn can proceed through the delivery process safely.

This outcome signifies that the necessary maneuvers—such as maternal repositioning or the application of specific techniques—were effective in freeing the shoulder that was obstructed by the maternal pelvis. The delivery of the fetal head also allows for closer monitoring of both maternal and fetal well-being, as it often leads to a return to a more normal delivery process.

Although factors like maternal pain levels, fetal heart rate, and post-delivery fetal movement are important in the broader context of labor and delivery, they do not specifically indicate the resolution of the shoulder dystocia situation as clearly as the spontaneous expulsion of the fetal head does.