Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIn UteroRisks and ComplicationsAltering Fetal Position
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
In Utero
Risks and Complications
Altering Fetal Position
Most fetuses are nestled inside the uterus (womb), curled up tight. This cozy position, knees to chest, is known as the fetal position. During pregnancy, the fetal position also refers to the direction a fetus faces in the uterus and is especially important as you approach delivery.
This article reviews the fetal position and how you and your providers change the fetal position before delivery when necessary.
Fetal Position (or Presentation) In Utero
The ideal fetal position for birth is head down, spine parallel to the pregnant person’s spine, face toward the back of the pregnant person’s body with the chin tucked and arms folded across the chest. However, there are variations to the fetal position in utero that can affect delivery.
Healthcare providers describe the fetal position in the uterus in terms of the fetal lie, position, and presentation.
Fetal Lie
Fetal lie refers to how the fetus’s spine aligns with the gestational carrier’s spine. Healthcare providers describe it as:
Fetal Position
“Fetal position” refers to the direction the fetus is facing. The occipital bone is at the back of the fetus’s head. Healthcare providers use this bone as a point of reference when describing fetal position, as follows: It is described as:
Fetal Presentation
Fetal presentation indicates the body part closest to the birth canal, also called the presenting part. The ideal presentation is the cephalic or vertex position. This when the fetus’s head is down and the chin is tucked in and facing the spine. However, in some cases, the fetus can present with one of the following body parts closest to the birth canal:
Positions and Risk of Delivery Complications
Fetuses move, kick, and roll throughout pregnancy. However, during the third trimester, as space in the uterus gets tight, most fetuses naturally reposition into the cephalic fetal position, which is ideal for delivery.
How to Alter Fetal Position Before Delivery
When a healthcare provider performs anultrasoundand vaginal exam near theend of pregnancy, they may find that the fetus isn’t in the ideal head-down position. They can help you explore options to alter the fetal position before delivery.
At Home
Specific exercises and yoga poses can help relax your pelvis and uterus, creating more room for the fetus and nudging it into the head-down position. Talk with your healthcare provider before attempting these techniques:
Alternative options include seeing a chiropractor or acupuncturist that your healthcare provider recommends. Chiropractors align your hips and spine. Acupuncture is an Eastern medicine practice that involves inserting tiny needles in certain areas to balance your body’s energy.
At the Hospital
At the hospital, your provider may try anexternal cephalic version(ECV), in which they apply pressure to your belly to turn the fetus’s head down.
Providers typically perform ECVs around 37 to 39 weeks' gestation, when the fetal size and the amount of amniotic fluid are ideal. An ECV is generally safe, but there are some risks, including fetal distress and preterm labor (rare).
Summary
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Merck Manuals Consumer Version.Fetal presentation, position, and lie (including breech presentation).
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Felemban AS, Arab K, Algarawi A, Abdulghaffar SK, Aljahdali KM, Alotaifi MA, Bafail SA, Bakhudayd TM.Assessment of the successful external cephalic version prognostic parameters effect on final mode of delivery.Cureus.2021;13(7):e16637. doi:10.7759/cureus.16637
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