During pregnancy, the developing babe moves into several different positions. As labor approaches, some positions are safer than others.

The platonic position for a fetus just earlier labor is the anterior position. In this position, the fetus'southward head points toward the ground and they are facing the adult female's dorsum.

Almost fetuses settle into this position past the last month of pregnancy. The anterior position is too known as a vertex, cephalic, or occiput anterior position.

The anterior position may reduce the chances of complications during pregnancy. Learn more about this and other fetal positions in the womb in this commodity.

Possible positions of a developing baby in the womb include:

Anterior position

The best position for the fetus to be in before childbirth is the inductive position. The majority of fetuses go into this position before labor begins.

This position means the fetus's caput is down in the pelvis, facing the woman's back. The fetus's back will be facing the woman's abdomen.

This position means the fetus'south head can be tucked in, allowing the top of it to printing down on the neck, which encourages it to open during labor.

A doctor or midwife may describe a fetus that lies slightly to the left as left occiput anterior or LOA, and one that lies slightly to the right as correct occiput anterior or ROA.

Posterior position

The posterior position is also known as the back-to-back position. This is where the fetus's head is pointing down, and their back is resting against the woman's back.

In this position, it tin be difficult for the fetus to tuck their head in, which tin brand passing through the smallest part of the pelvis more than challenging. This can lead to a slower and longer labor than the anterior position, and may also cause a backache.

A fetus may exist more likely to cease up in this position if the mother spends a long time sitting or laying down, such as if she is on bed rest.

The back of a fetus's body is heavier than the front, and then a pregnant woman can encourage the fetus to coil into the ideal position by leaning in the direction they want them to move.

Transverse lie position

A transverse prevarication position is when the fetus is lying horizontally in the uterus. Nigh fetuses will non remain in this position in the weeks and days leading up to labor.

If a fetus is still in the transverse lie position merely earlier birth, a cesarean commitment will be necessary.

Without a cesarean delivery, there is a risk of a medical emergency known as an umbilical cord prolapse.

When an umbilical cord prolapse occurs, the adult female delivers the umbilical cord in the birth canal before the baby.

Breech position

The breech position is when the fetus remains with the head upwardly instead of down in the adult female'due south pelvis. There are different types of breech position, including:

  • Frank breech: In this position, the fetus'southward legs prevarication straight upward in front of their torso, so the feet are virtually the face.
  • Complete breech: In this position, the fetus "sits" with their legs crossed in front of the torso, so the feet are near their buttocks.
  • Niggling breech: In this position, the fetus has either i or both feet hanging below their bottom. If a woman gave birth vaginally, ane or both anxiety would come up out beginning.

Breech

Reasons why a fetus may remain in the breech position include:

  • too much or likewise lilliputian amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus
  • uterine fibroids
  • an irregularly shaped uterus
  • multiple fetuses in the womb

If a woman is conveying twins, one fetus may exist in an anterior or posterior position while the other fetus is in a breech position.

Information technology is safe for a fetus to exist in whatsoever of the higher up breech positions while they are in the womb. However, there are some risks if the fetus is still in a breech position when labor begins.

The best way of finding out which position the fetus is in is by talking to a doc or midwife.

At each appointment during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, a doctor or midwife should feel the woman's abdomen to check the position of the fetus.

At the 35–36 week engagement, they will cheque to ensure that the fetus has moved into an anterior or posterior position. If the doctor is unsure well-nigh whether the fetus is in the correct position after a concrete examination, they may asking an ultrasound scan.

It may also be possible for the adult female to tell which position the fetus is in at home.

When the fetus is in the dorsum-to-dorsum or posterior position, the pregnancy bump may feel squishy. A woman may also notice kicks around the middle of the belly, and some people may also see an indentation effectually their belly button.

When the fetus is in the anterior position, a woman may experience more than kicks under the ribs. Their umbilicus may likewise "pop out."

Most fetuses turn into the head-down position by 36 weeks. If a fetus is in a breech position at 36 weeks, a dr. or midwife may advise an external cephalic version (ECV).

An ECV is a procedure where a doctor or midwife volition attempt to plow the fetus manually.

For this procedure, they will outset insert a small needle into the woman's paw to relax the uterus.

Using their hands on the outside of the pregnant woman's belly, a physician or midwife will then gently manipulate the fetus from a breech position into a transverse lie position, then into a head-downwardly position.

Some fetuses turn past themselves later on 36 weeks, and some even plough during labor.

Some people recommend moving into sure positions, taking herbal medicines, and doing particular exercises to help babies in breech turn to the more than favorable birthing position. All the same, there is no reliable testify to prove that any of these methods piece of work.

If a person does wish to effort these medicines or techniques, it is vital to consult a physician commencement.

A baby will motion into many different positions throughout pregnancy. During the last few weeks of pregnancy, about babies move into an anterior position, which is the best position for vaginal nascence.

If a babe is notwithstanding in a transverse lie or breech position just before labor, a md or midwife will brand medical interventions to ensure the safe of the woman and infant during childbirth.