What prenatal screening can help identify pregnancies at risk for shoulder dystocia?

Screening for gestational diabetes is the correct answer because elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy can lead to fetal macrosomia, which is a significant risk factor for shoulder dystocia. When a fetus is larger than average, it can complicate the delivery process, increasing the likelihood that the shoulders become lodged during delivery. By identifying and managing gestational diabetes early on, healthcare providers can implement strategies such as dietary modifications or insulin therapy to help control the baby’s growth, thereby potentially reducing the risk of complications like shoulder dystocia.

While routine ultrasounds, blood pressure monitoring, and amniocentesis have their roles in prenatal care, they do not directly assess the risk of shoulder dystocia in the same way that screening for gestational diabetes does. Routine ultrasound primarily focuses on anatomical assessments and development but may not effectively predict fetal size in relation to shoulder dystocia risks. Blood pressure monitoring is important for managing conditions like preeclampsia but does not correlate with shoulder dystocia. Amniocentesis is more focused on genetic testing and may not provide information relevant to the size of the fetus or immediate delivery risks. Thus, screening for gestational diabetes is the most pertinent prenatal assessment related to the risk of shoulder dystocia.