Summary:
Doctors often use different medical terms to refer to the baby’s various positions in the womb. Anterior, Posterior, and breech are three different positions and gynecologists consider, Anterior, which means head-down is the ideal position for smooth delivery.
Throughout the gestational period, as the baby continues to move and grow, he keeps shuffling his position in the womb . Doctors continuously monitor the position of the fetus and they refer to these varied positions by different medical terminologies. You need to understand the meaning of these terms to comprehend your baby’s position clearly.
Anterior position
The term Anterior means your baby is head down, ready to enter the pelvis and the face is facing your back. In this position, babies can move their necks and heads and tuck their chin into their chest. This position is generally known as the cephalic presentation or occipito-anterior in the medical term.
The narrowest part of the baby’s head can press on the cervix to open it during delivery. Most babies automatically settle in anterior position in the range of 33- to 36-week. This is the safest position and ideal for normal delivery.
Posterior position
This term refers to almost the same position as anterior but the baby’s face is facing towards the stomach of the expectant mother instead of their backs. In medical terminology, this position is also known as occipito-posterior position.
In case the baby doesn’t rotate to any other position and continues to remain in the Posterior position, the expectant mother experiences intense back pain and this may also increase the chances of a prolonged labour.
Breech position
In this position, the buttocks of the baby are towards the birth canal. There are three types of breech positions.
Complete breech
In this position, the buttocks are downward toward the birth canal and the legs are folded at the knees. The feet are close to the buttocks.
Frank breech
The buttocks are pointing towards the birth canal, but the legs are straight up facing their body, and the feet are close to the head.
Footling breech
When one or both of the baby’s feet are pointing downward toward the birth canal it is called a footling breech. This position is not ideal for the birthing process because in this position baby’s head is the last part of the body to emerge from the vagina. This position is tricky also because there is an increased risk of forming a loop in the umbilical cord and this can be injurious for the baby in case of vaginal delivery.
While most of the breech babies are healthy, there are certain risks of trauma or birth defects during the delivery.
If your baby in the womb is in breech position your doctor will suggest options to change this position to a usual head-down position when you will approach your final weeks. One such option is called an external cephalic version or ECV.
ECV Procedure
In this procedure involves applying pressure is applied in the abdomen of the pregnant ladies. While it is uncomfortable for pregnant women, it is not harmful to their babies in the womb. During the process, doctors monitor the baby’s heartbeat very closely and they stop the procedure at once if a problem begins to develop.
The ECV procedure works in almost half of the breech baby’s cases. When it doesn’t work doctors opt for a cesarean delivery to give birth to the baby safely. Mostly in the case of a footling breech, the cesarean delivery happens.
Transverse lie
In this position, the baby lies horizontally in the uterus. This position is very rare at the time of delivery because most babies get into a head-down position before the due date. In the rare case when it doesn’t cesarean delivery is required to give to the baby.
This position also triggers the risk of the umbilical cord coming out of the womb before the baby when the water breaks. Cesarean delivery is absolutely necessary because umbilical cord prolapse is a medical emergency, and the baby must be delivered very quickly.
Conclusion:
Once pregnant ladies understand the meaning of the medical terms pertaining to their bay’s position in the womb and know the position of their own babies, it is easier for them to understand their ultrasound sonography reports and ask specific questions to them gynecologists.
Author Bio: Prapti Chauhan gives quality substance to well being and pregnancy blog. She is associated with healthcare association and undeveloped cell safeguarding organization. Her composing motivate you to know and addition information about cord blood stem cell preservation.
