Shoulder dystocia is a serious obstetric complication and remains an enigma to most obstetricians. Because of its rarity (1:10 000), improvements in management can hardly be gained through the experience of a single individual. However, a new obstetric instrument (shoulder born) has been developed by the author that may prove to be of value in the management of shoulder dystocia by forming a channel which facilitates delivery of the anterior shoulder with minimal trauma.