Baby's position in the uterus is usually referred to in medical terms as the "presentation of the fetus". Usually, during the last month of pregnancy, the baby's position in the uterus is carefully monitored to ensure that it is in the correct position for birth.

Most babies usually settle into a head-down position (also called the vertex or cephalic position) in the mother's pelvis, around the eighth month of pregnancy. When labour begins, about 96% of babies are usually head-down, though a few (around 3%) may settle into a bottom-first or breech position.

When a breech presentation seems most likely, doctors sometimes try to have your baby turned manually into a head down position. This process is called External Cephalic Version (ECV). If performed after 38 weeks, it's successful in about two thirds of cases. Sometimes, however, the baby refuses to budge or rotates back into a breech position.

Breech Positions
Certain fetal positions can cause problems for both mother and baby. In breech positions, a cesarean delivery is considered the safest option for both mother and baby - though breech babies have also been successfully delivered vaginally.

Complete Breech
Baby is positioned with the buttocks first; both the hips and the knees are flexed. Like other breech presentations, this position increases the risk of forming an umbilical cord loop that could precede the head through the cervix and cause injury to the baby if delivered vaginally.

Frank Breech
In a frank breech, the baby's buttocks lead the way into the birth canal, with the hips flexed and the knees extended. This position increases the chance of forming an umbilical cord loop that could precede the head through the cervix and cause injury to the baby if delivered vaginally.

Footling Breech
When one or both of the baby's feet are pointed down towards 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.

Transverse Lie
When baby lies crosswise in the uterus, it is most likely that the shoulder will enter the pelvis first. Babies in this position are usually delivered by cesarean.

Overall Rating

Currently 1.5/5 Stars.