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 only before labor is the inductive position. In this position, the fetus's head points toward the ground and they are facing the adult female'due south back.

Most fetuses settle into this position past the terminal month of pregnancy. The anterior position is also known as a vertex, cephalic, or occiput inductive position.

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

Possible positions of a developing babe in the womb include:

Inductive position

The best position for the fetus to exist in before childbirth is the anterior position. The majority of fetuses get into this position before labor begins.

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

This position ways the fetus'southward head can be tucked in, allowing the elevation of information technology to printing down on the cervix, which encourages information technology 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 every bit right occiput anterior or ROA.

Posterior position

The posterior position is as well known equally the back-to-back position. This is where the fetus's head is pointing downwardly, and their back is resting against the adult female's dorsum.

In this position, it can exist difficult for the fetus to tuck their caput in, which tin can make 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 as well cause a backache.

A fetus may exist more likely to stop upwards in this position if the female parent spends a long fourth dimension sitting or laying down, such as if she is on bed residuum.

The back of a fetus's body is heavier than the front, and so a pregnant adult female can encourage the fetus to roll into the ideal position past leaning in the direction they want them to movement.

Transverse lie position

A transverse lie position is when the fetus is lying horizontally in the uterus. Most fetuses volition non 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 nascency, a cesarean commitment will be necessary.

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

When an umbilical cord prolapse occurs, the adult female delivers the umbilical cord in the birth culvert before the babe.

Breech position

The breech position is when the fetus remains with the head up instead of down in the adult female's pelvis. At that place are different types of breech position, including:

  • Frank breech: In this position, the fetus'south legs lie straight upwards in front of their body, so the feet are near the face.
  • Consummate breech: In this position, the fetus "sits" with their legs crossed in front of the body, so the feet are near their buttocks.
  • Picayune breech: In this position, the fetus has either i or both feet hanging below their bottom. If a adult female gave birth vaginally, 1 or both feet would come out first.

Breech

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

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

If a woman is carrying twins, ane 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 be in any 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 doctor or midwife.

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

At the 35–36 calendar week engagement, 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 afterwards a physical examination, they may request an ultrasound scan.

It may likewise be possible for the woman to tell which position the fetus is in at home.

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

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

Well-nigh fetuses turn into the head-downwards position by 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 volition try to turn the fetus manually.

For this procedure, they volition first insert a small needle into the adult female's manus to relax the uterus.

Using their hands on the outside of the significant woman's abdomen, a doctor or midwife will then gently manipulate the fetus from a breech position into a transverse lie position, then into a head-down position.

Some fetuses plough by themselves after 36 weeks, and some fifty-fifty turn during labor.

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

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

A baby will move into many dissimilar positions throughout pregnancy. During the final few weeks of pregnancy, nearly babies motion into an anterior position, which is the best position for vaginal birth.

If a baby is withal in a transverse lie or breech position merely before labor, a medico or midwife will brand medical interventions to ensure the safety of the adult female and baby during childbirth.