Fetal Positions

Fetal position refers to the positioning of the developing baby while inside of the mother’s uterus. The positioning of your baby can change many times during pregnancy and will ultimately effect whether you are able to deliver vaginally or if a cesarean section will be necessary.

There are a variety of positions in which your baby may be lying in, including the following:

• Head down: A fetal position in which the baby is lying with its head near the cervix.
• Transverse: A fetal position in which the baby is lying sideways or horizontally across the abdomen.
• Complete Breech: A fetal position in which the baby’s hips and knees are bent, with feet and buttocks near the cervix.
• Frank Breech: A position in which the baby is lying with its buttocks at the cervix, hips bent and legs extended.
• Footling Breech: A fetal position in which the baby’s legs or feet are presenting first.

The most common, and preferred, position for a baby to be in during labor is the head down, or vertex position. Babies that are lying in other positions pose challenges during delivery, including longer labor, cord prolapse and an increased need for a cesarean section. In the earlier months of pregnancy, babies will move around and change positions often. However, as room within the uterus becomes restricted, babies don’t have the ability to move around as much and tend to settle in the head down position. Less than 5% of babies are in a breech or transverse position at 37 weeks of pregnancy.

It is possible for a breech baby to be born vaginally, though most doctors recommend cesarean sections, especially in first-time births. A baby that is lying in the transverse position at the time of delivery will necessitate a cesarean section.

In the event that the fetus is lying in a breech or transverse position as labor draws near, there are some tips and procedures that can be attempted in hopes of getting the baby to move into the preferred, head down, position.

• External Cephalic Version (ECV): A method of attempting to turn a breech or transverse baby into a head down position. Doctors will use manual pressure with their hands to rotate the baby. There are medical risks involved with the procedure and this should be carefully discussed with your healthcare provider before the procedure takes place.
• Get on all fours and rock back and forth, encouraging the fetus to move into the preferred position for labor.
• Use a birthing ball.
• Practice doing lunges as they will encourage your baby to descend into a head down position.

More comments: More sections: All sections Trying to conceive Pregnancy & Birth Birth defects Babies

-->