Your baby's position in your womb plays a huge role in your labor and delivery.
But first, let’s understand some terminology, as well as discuss and understand what the different positions are.
Your baby’s position inside the uterus is called their fetal position or fetal presentation. The ideal position is a Cephalic Presentation which means that the baby’s head is down. The most common form of Cephalic Presentation is the Vertex Presentation which is referring to the crown of the baby’s head leading into the birth canal path.
If your baby is not in a Cephalic/Vertex Presentation, your baby is considered Breech, meaning your baby’s butt is down, not the head. There are a couple variations within the Breech position as well.
There are options available to help flip your baby to head down, but of course no guarantee. The last effort to flip a Breech baby is usually an External Cephalic Version which is performed by a Medial Professional and has a 48-55% success rate (https://evidencebasedbirth.com).
More Terminology
You will hear your doctor state your baby’s position and that will usually consist of 3 letters, but what do they mean? Let’s try to break this down!
L or R
Meaning Left (L) or Right (R) and referring to which side of your uterus your baby’s back is up against.
O
Meaning Occiput (O) and referring to the back of your baby’s head.
A, P, or T
Meaning Anterior (A) referring to your back, near the pubic bone, Posterior (P) referring to your front, near the abdomen or Transverse (T) referring to halfway between Anterior and Posterior.
Position Variations
LOA or ROA
Left Occiput Anterior or Right Occiput Anterior.
LOP or ROP
Left Occiput Posterior or Right Occiput Posterior. These two variations are sometimes referred to as sunny side up.
LOT or ROT
Left Occiput Transverse or Right Occiput Transverse.
ASYNCLITIC
Asymmetrical. Baby head is tipped towards one shoulder.
OBLIQUE
Diagonal. Baby’s head is in the mother’s hip.
TRANSVERSE LIE
Horizontal. Baby is side-lying.
Most Optimal Position for Vaginal Birth
The Left Occiput Anterior (LOA) is known as the most optimal position for birth because it is one of the positions to help baby be in the smallest diameter to fit the pelvis. The crown of the LOA baby’s head most often enters the pelvis first, tucking the chin which helps the baby fit in a way that the baby’s head can mold/shape most effectively. The baby’s back can curve most effectively in this position as well. The baby slides down the softening abdomen to enter the brim. (https://www.spinningbabies.com)
Resources & References
Your baby’s position is so important because it can determine the type of delivery you have and the length and intensity of your labor! When looking for a provider and Birth Doula, make sure to ask questions about this topic and if they have special training to help your baby get into an optimal position for your upcoming birth.
Spinning Babies, Gilligan’s Guide, One Strong Mama, a Webster Certified Chiropractor (Resource Directory), and your own personal Birth Doula can be wonderful resources when it comes to your baby’s position.
Our Doulas have gone through a special training through Spinning Babies and Gail Tully herself! Please feel free to book your free consultation today to ask us all the questions!
Medical Disclaimer: All content and information is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and does not establish any kind of client relationship. Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Seek advice from your medical professional.
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