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

The ideal position for a fetus just before labor is the anterior position. In this position, the fetus'south head points toward the ground and they are facing the adult female'southward back.

Most fetuses settle into this position by the final month of pregnancy. The inductive position is as well known as a vertex, cephalic, or occiput anterior position.

The inductive position may reduce the chances of complications during pregnancy. Learn more near 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 majority of fetuses get into this position before labor begins.

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

This position means the fetus's head can be tucked in, allowing the meridian of it to press down on the cervix, which encourages it to open during labor.

A doc or midwife may describe a fetus that lies slightly to the left every bit left occiput anterior or LOA, and ane 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'southward head is pointing down, and their back is resting against the woman's back.

In this position, it can be hard for the fetus to tuck their head in, which can make passing through the smallest part of the pelvis more than challenging. This tin atomic number 82 to a slower and longer labor than the anterior position, and may as well crusade a backache.

A fetus may be more than probable to end upwardly in this position if the mother spends a long time sitting or laying down, such as if she is on bed remainder.

The back of a fetus'south torso is heavier than the front end, so a pregnant woman can encourage the fetus to gyre into the ideal position by leaning in the direction they want them to move.

Transverse lie position

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

If a fetus is all the same in the transverse lie position simply before nascence, a cesarean delivery will be necessary.

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

When an umbilical cord prolapse occurs, the woman delivers the umbilical cord in the nativity culvert earlier the baby.

Breech position

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

  • Frank breech: In this position, the fetus'due south legs lie direct upward in front of their body, so the feet are near the face.
  • Complete breech: In this position, the fetus "sits" with their legs crossed in front of the trunk, then the feet are virtually their buttocks.
  • Fiddling breech: In this position, the fetus has either i or both feet hanging below their bottom. If a woman gave birth vaginally, one or both feet would come out first.

Breech

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

  • besides much or as well footling amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus
  • uterine fibroids
  • an irregularly shaped uterus
  • multiple fetuses in the womb

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

It is safe for a fetus to exist in any of the above breech positions while they are in the womb. Notwithstanding, at that place 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 past talking to a doctor or midwife.

At each appointment during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, a doctor or midwife should feel the woman'southward 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 afterward a physical test, they may request an ultrasound scan.

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

When the fetus is in the back-to-back or posterior position, the pregnancy bump may feel squishy. A woman may likewise notice kicks around the middle of the abdomen, and some people may besides come across an indentation around their omphalos.

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."

Nigh fetuses plough into the head-down position past 36 weeks. If a fetus is in a breech position at 36 weeks, a doctor or midwife may suggest an external cephalic version (ECV).

An ECV is a procedure where a doctor or midwife will try to plough the fetus manually.

For this procedure, they volition first insert a modest needle into the woman'due south hand to relax the uterus.

Using their easily on the outside of the pregnant woman's belly, a medico or midwife volition so gently dispense the fetus from a breech position into a transverse lie position, and then into a caput-downwardly position.

Some fetuses turn by themselves after 36 weeks, and some even turn during labor.

Some people recommend moving into certain positions, taking herbal medicines, and doing item exercises to aid babies in breech turn to the more favorable birthing position. However, there is no reliable evidence to prove that whatever of these methods work.

If a person does wish to effort these medicines or techniques, information technology is vital to consult a doctor starting time.

A babe will motility into many dissimilar positions throughout pregnancy. During the concluding few weeks of pregnancy, nigh babies motion into an anterior position, which is the all-time position for vaginal birth.

If a baby is still in a transverse lie or breech position just earlier labor, a doctor or midwife will make medical interventions to ensure the safety of the adult female and baby during childbirth.