<p>Shoulder dystocia, in the classical sense, refers to an arrest of delivery following birth of the fetal head, caused by impaction of the anterior fetal shoulder behind the maternal symphysis pubis. Other variants of shoulder dystocia include deep transverse arrest of the shoulders and, as is postulated, impaction of the posterior fetal shoulder against the sacral promontory. With an incidence ranging from 0.2 to 3%, shoulder dystocia is relatively rare. However, it can occur unpredictably in any delivery, even in the absence of identifiable risk factors. Given the considerable risks to both mother and child, shoulder dystocia constitutes an obstetric emergency requiring immediate resolution. Clear communication within the obstetric team and prompt guideline-based management are essential. Alongside supportive emergency measures, various manual maneuvers are employed to release the impacted fetal shoulders. Preferred techniques include the McRoberts maneuver and axillary traction for delivery of the posterior shoulder or delivery of the posterior arm. Despite expert management, maternal and/or neonatal complications associated with shoulder dystocia cannot be completely prevented.</p>