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

The ideal position for a fetus just earlier labor is the anterior position. In this position, the fetus's caput points toward the basis and they are facing the adult female's dorsum.

Near fetuses settle into this position by the last calendar month of pregnancy. The anterior position is also known as a vertex, cephalic, or occiput anterior position.

The anterior position may reduce the chances of complications during pregnancy. Acquire more well-nigh this and other fetal positions in the womb in this article.

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 anterior position. The bulk of fetuses get into this position before labor begins.

This position means the fetus'due south head is downward in the pelvis, facing the woman's back. The fetus'south back will exist facing the woman's belly.

This position means the fetus's head can exist tucked in, allowing the top of it to press down on the neck, which encourages it to open up during labor.

A medico or midwife may depict a fetus that lies slightly to the left equally left occiput anterior or LOA, and i that lies slightly to the right every bit correct occiput anterior or ROA.

Posterior position

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

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

A fetus may exist more than probable 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 forepart, so a pregnant woman can encourage the fetus to curlicue into the ideal position past leaning in the direction they desire them to move.

Transverse prevarication position

A transverse lie position is when the fetus is lying horizontally in the uterus. Virtually fetuses will not remain in this position in the weeks and days leading up to labor.

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

Without a cesarean delivery, in that location is a risk of a medical emergency known every bit an umbilical cord prolapse.

When an umbilical cord prolapse occurs, the woman delivers the umbilical cord in the nativity canal before the infant.

Breech position

The breech position is when the fetus remains with the head up instead of down in the woman'due south pelvis. There are unlike types of breech position, including:

  • Frank breech: In this position, the fetus's legs lie directly upwards in front of their body, so the anxiety are near the face.
  • Complete breech: In this position, the fetus "sits" with their legs crossed in forepart of the torso, so the feet are near their buttocks.
  • Footling breech: In this position, the fetus has either one or both feet hanging below their lesser. If a woman gave nascence vaginally, 1 or both feet would come out beginning.

Breech

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

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

If a woman is conveying twins, 1 fetus may be in an inductive or posterior position while the other fetus is in a breech position.

It is safe for a fetus to be in any of the above breech positions while they are in the womb. However, at that place are some risks if the fetus is still in a breech position when labor begins.

The all-time mode of finding out which position the fetus is in is by talking to a doc or midwife.

At each appointment during the 2nd and third trimesters of pregnancy, a doctor or midwife should experience the woman'due south abdomen to check the position of the fetus.

At the 35–36 week appointment, they will check to ensure that the fetus has moved into an anterior or posterior position. If the doctor is unsure about whether the fetus is in the correct position after a physical examination, they may asking an ultrasound browse.

Information technology may also be possible for the adult female to tell which position the fetus is in at dwelling.

When the fetus is in the dorsum-to-back 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 around their belly button.

When the fetus is in the anterior position, a adult female may feel more kicks under the ribs. Their belly button may also "pop out."

Almost fetuses turn into the head-downwards position by 36 weeks. If a fetus is in a breech position at 36 weeks, a medico or midwife may suggest an external cephalic version (ECV).

An ECV is a procedure where a doctor or midwife volition endeavor to turn the fetus manually.

For this process, they will first insert a pocket-sized needle into the woman's paw to relax the uterus.

Using their hands on the exterior of the pregnant woman'south abdomen, a medico or midwife will and then gently manipulate the fetus from a breech position into a transverse lie position, so into a head-downward position.

Some fetuses turn by themselves subsequently 36 weeks, and some even turn 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 favorable birthing position. Nonetheless, in that location is no reliable evidence to prove that any of these methods piece of work.

If a person does wish to endeavour these medicines or techniques, it is vital to consult a doc first.

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

If a baby is even so in a transverse prevarication or breech position just earlier labor, a doctor or midwife will make medical interventions to ensure the safety of the woman and baby during childbirth.