Navigation
[TITLE]

[MESSAGE]

[BUTTONS]

Popular questions...

Content

What can be done during birth to correct my baby's position?

If your baby is in an incorrect position once labor has started, your doctor or midwife can try to shift it around with their hands and/or instruments (such as forceps) via the birth canal. If that does not help, in certain circumstances, a caesarian section may help to deliver the baby.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is the normal birth position for a baby?

The large majority of babies are born with their head down near the mother's vagina, with the face directed towards the mother's rear. The baby's head is bent down so the chin is resting against the chest.

Why is my baby not in the right position?

Most fetuses spend some time lying sideways in the uterus. At 28 weeks, one in five fetuses are in the breech position (head up, buttocks down). Eventually, at around 36 weeks, the majority of babies are positioned with their head down toward the …

What is the breech position?

The breech position is when your baby is in the womb with its head upward and buttocks facing down, near the vagina.

How common is the breech position?

About 3-4% of babies are in the breech position during labor.

What is a transverse position?

The transverse position is when your baby is lying sideways in the womb. If it remains like this close to the due date, it cannot be delivered vaginally and a caesarean section must be performed. The transverse position is rare.

What is the face presentation?

In this rare presentation, the baby is in the normal head-down position, but the baby's face enters the birth canal first, rather than the top of the head. This is because the chin is pointing out rather than resting against the chest. This presentation is …

How can I know what position my baby is in?

Your doctor or midwife can often have an indication of your baby's position by feeling your abdomen. A clear picture is provided by an ultrasound scan.

Can my baby be shifted to the right position?

There are some methods that can help a baby shift into the correct position. External cephalic version (ECV) is the most effective method. It can be attempted between the 32nd and 37th weeks of pregnancy. Your doctor will place his hands over …

What is a cord prolapse?

A cord prolapse is when the umbilical cord enters the birth canal first, before the baby, usually after the mother's waters have broken. This is considered to be an emergency as the cord, which is the life line to the baby, can subsequently become blocked during …

Related topics

Diseases & conditions

Fertility

Fertility is the ability to have a baby. This requires sperm from a man to fertilise an egg from a woman. Follow the numerous stages in this journey of the sperm to reach the egg.…
Diseases & conditions

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy

Vaginal bleeding can happen at any stage of pregnancy. While it can be worrying, most women who experience vaginal bleeding during their pregnancy go on to deliver a normal and healthy baby.…
Diseases & conditions

Morning sickness

Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Despite its name, it can strike at any time of the day. Up to around 85% of pregnant women experience morning sickness. Fortunately, it tends to settle down by the 20th week of pregnancy.…
Diseases & conditions

Labor

Labor is the process through which a baby is delivered from a woman’s womb to the outside world. Stages of labor that pregnant women commonly experience include uterine contractions, dilation of the cervix and the rupturing of fetal membranes to release amniotic fluid, or ‘water breaking’.…
Diseases & conditions

Pre-pregnancy check-up

Pre-pregnancy check-ups can improve pregnancy outcomes by identifying risk factors that may cause complications and providing options to avoid such occurrences. Consulting with your doctor on lifestyle factors – such as diet, alcohol and smoking – and making some changes may result in better outcomes.…
Diseases & conditions

A guide through normal pregnancy

The average pregnancy is counted as 40 weeks, starting from the first day of the mother’s last period. Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, with different stages in each. The development of a pregnancy can be followed week by week, but it’s important to remember the experience varies for every mother and baby.…

About this article

Author: Dr Joanne Van der Velden PhD, BSc (Hons)
First answered: 18 Sep 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Votes: 747 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Fertility

×

Content goes in here.