When you are pregnant, you often hear the term "fetal position." When professionals talk about fetal position, they are discussing how the baby is lying in your womb. At the beginning of the pregnancy, you shouldn't worry too much about the fetal position, as there is a lot of space in the uterus. This allows the baby to move around. So it can very well be that your baby is in a certain position for one scan and in another position for the next scan. As the baby grows, space in the uterus becomes more limited. Here, the baby will mostly lie in a fixed position until birth. However, some babies have an unstable fetal position, where they turn and twist all the way up to birth.
What fetal positions are there?
The fetal position is assessed based on which way the baby's head is facing. If the baby's head is down in the pelvis, then it is in the head-down position. If it is the lower body, then it is in the breech position. Your baby can also lie sideways across your pelvis, which is called transverse lie or oblique lie.
As mentioned, the fetal position is not very important in the first two trimesters, as the baby still has the opportunity to turn and twist. However, at the end of the pregnancy, it is important that your baby prepares for birth by lying in the fetal position. At the end of the pregnancy, some women are able to feel how their baby is lying. This may be because the baby always kicks in a certain spot, or perhaps they can feel its head. There are also many women who cannot perceive it at all.
If your baby turns and changes position later in the pregnancy, you will be able to feel it. It creates a much more vigorous movement that is completely different from kicks. Afterwards, it will often feel very different as well.
Which fetal position is best during birth?
If you want a natural birth, then the head-down position is best. This is the classic birth that you see on television, where the baby's head comes out first. Sometimes it is also possible to give birth to a baby in the breech position naturally. Here, the baby's legs will come out first. If your baby is in a transverse lie, it suddenly becomes much more difficult to give birth naturally. In this case, the vast majority will opt for a cesarean section instead of a natural birth. It is also highly likely that this is what professionals will recommend if your baby is in a transverse lie.
The 2 different head positions
The head-down position is, as mentioned, the most optimal for a natural birth. This is because the pelvic rim is oval, so it fits well in both size and shape to your baby's head. There are 2 different head positions depending on which side your baby is lying on. If your baby is lying with its nose towards your right side, then it is in the first head position, and if it is lying with its nose towards your left side, then it is in the second head position.
The first head position is the one that is most comfortable for the mother. This is because there is more space on this side, as the liver is on the other side.
How do I know which fetal position my baby has?
The fetal position can be assessed using an external examination. Here, your midwife or doctor feels the belly to determine how your baby is lying. This includes both the direction and what is lying down and up. If the baby is not in a transverse lie, it is also useful to find out which direction the baby's nose is facing. This can make it easier to locate the baby's heartbeat.
Is your child's head facing up or down?
It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether your child is facing with their head up or not. This is because the head and bottom can feel very similar in most babies. If there is doubt, the external examination can be supplemented by an internal examination. Here, your midwife uses her fingers to feel which part is at the bottom. If there is still doubt, an ultrasound scan can be performed. As mentioned, it is important for the birth process to know which way your baby is facing.
