shoulder dystocia

Shoulder dystocia occurs after vaginal delivery of the head, when the baby's anterior shoulder is obstructed by the mother's pubic bone. It is typically diagnosed when the baby's shoulders fail to deliver despite gentle downward traction on the baby's head, requiring the need of special techniques to safely deliver the baby. Retraction of the baby's head back into the vagina, known as "turtle sign" is suggestive of shoulder dystocia. It is a type of obstructed labour.