During shoulder delivery, which shoulder is birthed first?

During shoulder delivery, which shoulder is birthed first?

• A. Posterior shoulder
• B. Anterior shoulder
• C. Both simultaneously
• D. None

Answer: (B)

The shoulder delivery follows the order of the shoulders passing through the birth canal after the head is born. The anterior shoulder—the one closest to the mother’s front—is the first to pass under the pubic arch and become delivered. Once the anterior shoulder is out, the posterior shoulder, which sits toward the mother’s back, follows. This sequence helps the body emerge smoothly; delivering the posterior shoulder first is not the normal pattern, and delivering both simultaneously isn’t how the shoulders typically come through the birth canal.

The shoulder delivery follows the order of the shoulders passing through the birth canal after the head is born. The anterior shoulder—the one closest to the mother’s front—is the first to pass under the pubic arch and become delivered. Once the anterior shoulder is out, the posterior shoulder, which sits toward the mother’s back, follows. This sequence helps the body emerge smoothly; delivering the posterior shoulder first is not the normal pattern, and delivering both simultaneously isn’t how the shoulders typically come through the birth canal.