Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy It’s BestRisks of Other PositionsDetermining PositionTurning a Fetus
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why It’s Best
Risks of Other Positions
Determining Position
Turning a Fetus
The cephalic position is when a fetus is head down when it is ready to enter the birth canal. This is one of a few variations of how a fetus can rest in the womb and is considered the ideal one for labor and delivery.
If the fetus is not in the cephalic position at that point, the provider may try to turn it. If this doesn’t work, some—but not all—practitioners will attempt to deliver vaginally, while others will recommend a Cesarean (C-section).
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Why Is the Cephalic Position Best?
If the fetus is in a noncephalic position, delivery becomes more challenging. Differentfetal positionshave a range of difficulties and varying risks.
Pregnancy: Week 36
A small percentage of babies present in noncephalic positions. This can pose risks both to the fetus and the mother, and make labor and delivery more challenging. It can also influence the way in which someone can deliver.
A fetus may actually find itself in any of these positions throughout pregnancy, as the move about the uterus. But as they grow, there will be less room to tumble around and they will settle into a final position.
It is at this point that noncephalic positions can pose significant risks.
Cephalic Posterior
A fetus may also present in an occiput or cephalic posterior position. This means they are positioned head down, but they are facing the abdomen instead of the back.
This position is also nicknamed “sunny-side up.”
Presenting this way increases the chance of a painful and prolonged delivery.
Breech
There are three different types of breech fetal positioning:
A vaginal delivery is most times a safe way to deliver. But with breech positions, a vaginal delivery can be complicated.
Some providers are still comfortable performing a vaginal birth as long as the fetus is doing well. But breech is always a riskier delivery position compared with the cephalic position, and most cases require a C-section.
Transverse Lie
In transverse lie position, the fetus is presenting sideways across the uterus rather than vertically. They may be:
If a transverse lie is not corrected before labor, a C-section will be required. This is typically the case.
Determining Fetal Position
If your healthcare provider senses that the fetus is in a breech position, they can use ultrasound to confirm their suspicion.
Turning a Fetus So They Are in Cephalic Position
This is only considered if a healthcare provider monitors presentation progress in the last trimester and notices that a fetus is maintaining a noncephalic position as your delivery date approaches.
External Cephalic Version (ECV)
ECV involves the healthcare provider applying pressure to your stomach to turn the fetus from the outside. They will attempt to rotate the head forward or backward and lift the buttocks in an upward position. Sometimes, they use ultrasound to help guide the process.
The best time to perform ECV is about 37 weeks of pregnancy.Afterward, the fetal heart rate will be monitored to make sure it’s within normal levels. You should be able to go home after having ECV done.
ECV has a 50% to 60% success rate. However, even if it does work, there is still a chance the fetus will return to the breech position before birth.
Natural Methods For Turning a Fetus
There are also natural methods that can help turn a fetus into cephalic position. There is no medical research that confirms their efficacy, however.
A Word From Verywell
While most babies are born in cephalic position at delivery, this is not always the case. And while some fetuses can be turned, others may be more stubborn.
Speaking to your healthcare provider about turning options and the safest route of delivery may help you adjust to this twist and feel better about how you will move ahead.
6 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.
Glezerman M.Planned vaginal breech delivery: current status and the need to reconsider. Expert Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2012;7(2):159-166. doi:10.1586/eog.12.2
Cleveland Clinic.Fetal positions for birth.
MedlinePlus.Breech birth.
Roecker CB.Breech repositioning unresponsive to Webster technique: coexistence of oligohydramnios.Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2013;12(2):74-78. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2013.06.003
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