These risk factors should be carefully monitored throughout your pregnancy:

-          Gestational Diabetes

-          Excessive weight gain (>35 pounds) during pregnancy

-          Maternal Obesity

-          Suspected Macrosomia (Large Baby, > 8 lbs. 14 ozs.)

-          Multiparity – having had one or more children prior to this birth

-          Short Maternal stature (especially in conjunction with excessive weight gain or a large baby)

-          Advanced Maternal Age

-          Gestation beyond 40 weeks

-          Breech Position

-          Previous shoulder dystocia or plexus injury

These are risk factors to watch out for during labor and delivery:

-          Assisted Vaginal Delivery – using vacuum or forceps

-          Abnormal or prolonged first stage of labor

-          Prolonged second stage of labor

-          Prolonged descent or failure of the baby’s head to descend down the birth canal