Turtling during birth is also known as shoulder dystocia which is an obstetric emergency which occurs when a baby's shoulder gets stuck during birth.
During a turtling birth the baby's head appears and then retreats back into the birth canal and is similar to a turtle's head going in and out of a turtle shell.
Other symptoms of a turtling birth are the baby's shoulders may not emerge after the baby's head has been delivered and the baby may also have a puffy and red face.
Turtling during birth or shoulder dystocia can be caused by several things which include.
The mother's position limiting the room in the pelvis.
The pelvic opening being too small.
The baby being in the wrong position.
Shoulder dystocia or a turtling birth can lead to.
Brain damage or death from lack of oxygen.
Birth injuries like nerve damage or tears.
And postpartum hemorrhage or bleeding.
Treatment and quick action is essential to free the baby's shoulder which is often done using gentle downward traction to guide the baby out of the birth canal.
Shoulder dystocia or turtling during birth occurs in around 0.15 percent to 4 percent of vaginal births.