When might a lateral roll be indicated during shoulder dystocia?

A lateral roll may be indicated during shoulder dystocia if initial maneuvers to resolve the situation fail. When a shoulder dystocia occurs, healthcare providers typically initiate a sequence of established maneuvers to free the impacted shoulder. These maneuvers often include applying suprapubic pressure or performing specific maternal positioning techniques. If these initial interventions do not successfully alleviate the dystocia, a lateral roll becomes an important consideration to help reposition the fetus or provide additional maneuvers to facilitate delivery.

At this point, the lateral roll can help to shift the mother's pelvis, which may relieve shoulder impaction and create more space for the baby's shoulders to pass through. This technique is considered effective as part of the escalation of care when initial strategies are not yielding the desired results. Understanding when to implement such maneuvers is critical for practitioners involved in childbirth to minimize complications.