During delivery, pressing the patient’s legs to her abdomen is known as which maneuver?

• A. McRobert's Maneuver
• B. Leopold's Maneuver
• C. Cousteau's Maneuver
• D. Marceux's Maneuver

Answer: (A)

In this scenario, the technique described is used to manage shoulder dystocia by increasing the pelvic outlet through extreme hip flexion. Bringing the patient’s legs up toward the abdomen (hyperflexing the hips) changes the pelvic tilt and enlarges the pelvic opening, facilitating delivery of the shoulders. It’s commonly the first-line maneuver because it’s simple, quick, and effective in improving the chances of dislodging the impacted shoulder. Often, this is performed with someone applying gentle suprapubic pressure to help move the anterior shoulder under the pubic symphysis.

Leopold's maneuvers are abdominal palpations to determine fetal position, not a maneuver to assist delivery. The other two names are not standard, widely used maneuvers for shoulder dystocia in current practice.