During pregnancy, the developing infant moves into several different positions. Every bit 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's head points toward the ground and they are facing the woman's back.

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

The anterior position may reduce the chances of complications during pregnancy. Acquire more than 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 anterior position. The bulk 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 volition be facing the woman'south belly.

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

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

Posterior position

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

In this position, information technology can be difficult for the fetus to tuck their head in, which can make passing through the smallest role of the pelvis more challenging. This can atomic number 82 to a slower and longer labor than the inductive position, and may also cause a backache.

A fetus may exist more than likely to end 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'southward trunk is heavier than the front, so a pregnant woman tin can encourage the fetus to whorl into the platonic position past leaning in the management they desire them to move.

Transverse lie position

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

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

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

When an umbilical cord prolapse occurs, the woman delivers the umbilical cord in the birth culvert before the baby.

Breech position

The breech position is when the fetus remains with the head up instead of downwardly in the woman's pelvis. In that location are different types of breech position, including:

  • Frank breech: In this position, the fetus's legs prevarication direct upward in forepart of their torso, and then the anxiety are near the face up.
  • Complete breech: In this position, the fetus "sits" with their legs crossed in front of the body, so the anxiety are near their buttocks.
  • Footling breech: In this position, the fetus has either one or both feet hanging below their bottom. If a woman gave birth vaginally, one or both feet would come up out first.

Breech

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

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

If a adult female is carrying twins, one fetus may be in an inductive or posterior position while the other fetus is in a breech position.

Information technology is safety for a fetus to be in whatever of the above breech positions while they are in the womb. Nonetheless, there are some risks if the fetus is still in a breech position when labor begins.

The all-time 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 physician or midwife should feel the woman's abdomen to cheque the position of the fetus.

At the 35–36 week appointment, they will cheque to ensure that the fetus has moved into an inductive or posterior position. If the md is unsure about whether the fetus is in the right position later a physical examination, they may request an ultrasound scan.

It may also be possible for the woman 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 adult female may also detect kicks around the heart of the belly, and some people may also see an indentation around their belly push.

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

About fetuses turn 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 dr. or midwife will try to turn the fetus manually.

For this procedure, they will first insert a modest needle into the adult female's paw to relax the uterus.

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

Some fetuses plough by themselves later 36 weeks, and some even plow during labor.

Some people recommend moving into sure positions, taking herbal medicines, and doing particular exercises to assist babies in breech plow to the more than favorable birthing position. However, there is no reliable evidence to prove that whatever of these methods piece of work.

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

A infant volition motion into many dissimilar positions throughout pregnancy. During the last few weeks of pregnancy, most babies movement into an anterior position, which is the best position for vaginal birth.

If a baby is all the same in a transverse lie or breech position just before labor, a md or midwife will make medical interventions to ensure the safety of the woman and baby during childbirth.