Common Baby Positions During Birth
Ideally, for you to be in a position to successfully deliver, your baby is supposed to be in the anterior position. This is the position whereby the baby’s head faces downwards, and they are facing your back. Most babies get into this position in the last month of pregnancy. Your doctor, therefore, thoroughly examines you during this last month to ensure that your baby is in the right position.
In case your baby is not in the anterior position by the time of birth, this may cause complications for either or both of you. In such cases, other delivery methods such as cesarean may be considered. However, your doctor may opt to shift the position of your baby by applying hands through the abdomen with the guidance of an ultrasound.
Some of these positions that need special attention during birth are such as:
1. Occiput or cephalic posterior
In this position, the baby’s head is facing downward, but the baby is facing the mother’s abdomen instead of her back. This could cause prolonged and painful labour.
2. Complete breech
In the complete breech position, the baby is positioned with the buttocks first on the way to the birth canal, and the knees and hips are flexed. In this case, the baby should not be delivered vaginally as it would cause injury to the baby.
3. Frank breech
In this position, the buttocks lead the way to the birth canal, the knees are extended, and the hips are flexed. This position could also cause injury to the baby if you deliver vaginally.
4. Transverse lie
This is a position whereby the baby lies crosswise in the womb, in which case the shoulder will enter the pelvis first. Cesarean is the best way to delivery when the baby is in this position as well.
What Happens if My Baby Won’t Turn?
In case your baby has not changed to the anterior position during the last few weeks of pregnancy, your doctor may offer medical interventions to help the baby turn. In case they are in the same position by the time you go into labor, C-section(cesarean section) may be recommended to reduce the risks associated with vaginal birth of a wrongly positioned baby.
Disclaimer:
#Please note that development differs from one child to another
# Content intended for educational purposes only, and not substituted for medical advice from your doctor
Last reviewed January 2019
Sources: my.clevelandclinic, healthline, mamanatural, spinningbabies, tommys
