Which of the following methods is recommended for managing shoulder dystocia?

The McRoberts method is a recommended technique for managing shoulder dystocia, a condition that can occur during childbirth when the baby's shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother's pelvic bone after the head has been delivered. This technique involves two principal actions: flexing the mother's legs tightly to her abdomen and positioning them sharply upward. This position helps to flatten the sacrum and increase the pelvic diameter, which can assist in dislodging the newborn's shoulder from behind the pubic bone.

This method is effective because it facilitates the necessary adjustments in the pelvic space that can allow the baby's shoulder to free itself without the need for more invasive interventions. The McRoberts maneuver is also associated with fewer maternal and infant complications compared to the other techniques, making it the preferred choice among healthcare practitioners when faced with shoulder dystocia.

In contrast, while vaginal delivery with minimal intervention, forceps delivery, and cesarean section can be considered in various obstetric scenarios, they do not address shoulder dystocia as effectively as the McRoberts method. Each of those alternatives carries its own set of risks and may not resolve the immediate issue posed by the dystocia as efficiently as the McRoberts maneuver would.