The position of baby is head-down, facing the mother’s back with the chin inserted to its chest and the back of the head ready to enter the pelvis is ideal for labor. But in some cases, the fetal positions can cause problems for both the mother and the baby.
What are the common positions of babies at the time of birth?
The position of the baby in the uterus is known as the presentation of the fetus. Your doctor will carefully assess the different positions of the baby during pregnancy especially in the last month to ensure that the baby is in the correct position of birth.
As your body prepares for delivery, the baby takes its position. Few weeks before the due date your baby might drop lower in the uterus.
Most common position for birth –
For labor the ideal position of the baby is head-down, facing the mother’s back, with the chin inserted to its chest and the back of the head ready to enter the pelvis and this position is known as the cephalic presentation. Within the 32nd and 36th weeks of pregnancy, most of the babies settle into this position.
Other positions –
For both the mother and the baby, some of the fetal positions of baby can cause problems. Cesarean delivery may in some cases be the safest option for both the mother and the baby. Your doctor might try to change the position of the baby by trying to turn the baby by applying his or her hands to your abdomen and with the guidance of ultrasound gently try to shift the baby to the head-down position. This is known as external cephalic version. This can only be done by a well-experienced doctor in a hospital where the baby can be carefully monitored in case of any complications. Finally, it is possible that the baby can turn and change its position before delivery.
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Occiput or cephalic posterior –
The usual position of the baby should be baby head-down position but in some cases, it is facing the mother’s abdomen. When the head is in this position the baby is looking to the ceiling. In this position, there is a high chance of painful and prolonged delivery.
Frank Breech –
In this case, the baby’s buttocks lead the way into the birth canal. Hips are flexed and the knees are extended. Due to this, there is a chance of forming an umbilical cord loop which can precede the head through the cervix and cause injury to the baby if delivered vaginally.
Complete breech –
The buttock of the baby is positioned first and the knees and hips are flexed. Similar to the other breech presentations, in this case too this position increases the risk of forming an umbilical cord look that could lead the headfirst through the cervix and cause injury to the baby if delivered vaginally.
Footling Breech –
In this condition, one of the feet or both are pointed down toward the birth canal. There is a great risk of the umbilical cord sliding down into the mouth of the womb which ultimately cuts off the blood supply to the baby.
