Ina May Gaskin - The Gaskin Maneuver

The Gaskin Maneuver

The Gaskin Maneuver, also called all fours, is a technique to reduce shoulder dystocia. Gaskin claims to have introduced it in 1976 after learning it from a Belizean woman who had, in turn, learned the maneuver in Guatemala, where it originated. In this maneuver, the mother supports herself on her hands and knees to resolve shoulder dystocia. Switching to a hands and knees position causes the shape of the pelvis to change, thereby allowing the trapped shoulder to free itself and the baby to be born. Since this maneuver requires a significant movement from the standard lithotomy position, it can be substantially more difficult to perform while under epidural anesthesia, but still possible, and can be performed by an experienced delivery room-team.