Fetus Presentation || vertex,Breech,shoulder & compound

#Fetal #Positions for #Birth Ideally for labor, the baby is positioned head-down, facing your back, with the chin tucked to its chest and the back of the head ready to enter the pelvis. This is called cephalic presentation. Most babies settle into this position with the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy. Other fetal positions for birth include different types of breech (feet down) and occiput posterior position (face up). APPOINTMENTS & ACCESS CONTACT US What does fetal positioning mean? The position of the baby in your uterus is called the presentation of the fetus. Throughout your pregnancy, your baby will move around in the uterus. It’s normal for your baby to be in a variety of positions during most of the pregnancy. Early on, the baby is small enough to move freely. You may have even felt this movement over the last few months. The larger the baby becomes, however, the more limited the movement becomes. As the end of the pregnancy approaches, the baby will start to move into position for birth. This typically involves flipping over so that the baby is head down in your womb. The baby will start to move down in your uterus, preparing to go through your birth canal during childbirth. The birth canal is made up of your cervix (immediately outside of your uterus), vagina and vulva. Think of the birth canal as an expandable tunnel. During labor, your contractions work to stretch this space so that the baby can pass through it during childbirth. What is the most common position for childbirth? Ideally for labor, the baby is positioned head-down, facing the mother’s back with the chin tucked to its chest and the back of the head ready to enter the pelvis. This position is called cephalic presentation. Most babies settle into this position within the 32nd to 36th weeks of pregnancy. What other positions can the baby be in before childbirth? Sometimes the baby doesn’t get into the perfect position before birth. There are several positions that the baby can be in and each of these positions could come with complications during childbirth. These fetal positions can include: Occiput or cephalic posterior position: Sometimes the baby is positioned head down as it should be, but other times it is facing the mother's abdomen. With the head in this position, the baby is looking at the ceiling. You may hear this position nicknamed sunny-side-up. This increases the chance of a painful and prolonged delivery. Frank breech: In a frank breech, the baby's buttocks lead the way into the birth canal. The hips are flexed, the knees extended (in front of the abdomen). This position increases the chance of forming an umbilical cord loop that could precede the head through the cervix and cause the baby to be injured during a vaginal delivery. Complete breech: In this position, the baby is positioned with the buttocks first and both the hips and the knees are flexed (folded under themselves). Like other breech presentations, this position increases the risk of forming an umbilical cord loop that could precede the head through the cervix and injure the baby if delivered vaginally. Transverse lie: The baby lies crosswise in the uterus, making it likely that the shoulder will enter the pelvis first. Most babies in this position are delivered by cesarean (C-section). Footling breech: Sometimes, one or both of the baby's feet are pointed down toward the birth canal. This increases the chances of the umbilical cord slithering down into the mouth of the womb, cutting off blood supply to the baby. Is my baby at risk if it’s in a breech position? A breech birth is when the baby is positioned with its feet down in the birth canal. While in the womb, the baby isn’t in any danger. However, in this position, the baby would be born foot first. A vaginal delivery is often a very safe form of childbirth, however, when the baby is breech, a vaginal delivery can be complicated. Because the baby’s head is larger than the bottom, there is a risk of head entrapment where the baby’s head becomes stuck in the uterus. In this situation, the baby can be difficult to deliver. Some babies in the breech position may want to come in a hurry during labor. Some providers are comfortable performing a vaginal birth as long as the baby is doing well. In many cases, your healthcare provider may recommend a cesarean birth (C-section) instead of a vaginal birth. This is a surgical procedure where an incision is made in the mother’s abdomen and the baby is removed in an operating room. There’s a lot less risk to the baby during this procedure compared to a breech vaginal birth. Why does the position of the baby at birth matter? During childbirth, your healthcare provider’s goal is to safely deliver your baby and ensure your well-being. If the baby is in a different position (not a cephalic presentation), this job becomes more challenging. Different fetal positions have a range of difficulties and the risks can vary depend