About 96% of babies are born in the cephalic position.
Most settle into it between the 32nd and 36th weeks ofpregnancy.
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Why Is the Cephalic Position Best?
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During labor, contractions dilate the cervix so the fetus has adequate room to come through the birth canal.
The cephalic position is the easiest and safest way for the baby to pass through the birth canal.
If the fetus is in a noncephalic position, delivery becomes more challenging.
Differentfetal positionshave a range of difficulties and varying risks.
Risks of Other Positions
A small percentage of babies present in noncephalic positions.
This can pose risks both to the fetus and the mother, and make labor and delivery more challenging.
It can also influence the way in which someone can deliver.
It is at this point that noncephalic positions can pose significant risks.
Cephalic Posterior
A fetus may also present in an occiput or cephalic posterior position.
This means they are positioned head down, but they are facing the abdomen instead of the back.
This position is also nicknamed “sunny-side up.”
Presenting this way increases the chance of a painful and prolonged delivery.
But with breech positions, a vaginal delivery can be complicated.
When a baby is born in the breech position, the largest partits headis delivered last.
This can result in them getting stuck in the birth canal (entrapped).
This can cause injury or death.
Some providers are still comfortable performing a vaginal birth as long as the fetus is doing well.
They may be:
If a transverse lie is not corrected before labor, a C-section will be required.
This is typically the case.
They will attempt to rotate the head forward or backward and lift the buttocks in an upward position.
Sometimes, they use ultrasound to help guide the process.
You should be able to go home after having ECV done.
ECV has a 50% to 60% success rate.
There is no medical research that confirms their efficacy, however.
And while some fetuses can be turned, others may be more stubborn.
This may affect your labor and delivery wishes.
That may mean diverting from your best laid plans.
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Expert Rev Obstet Gynecol.
2012;7(2):159-166. doi:10.1586/eog.12.2
Cleveland Clinic.Fetal positions for birth.
UT Southwestern Medical Center.Can you turn a breech baby around?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.If your baby is breech.
Roecker CB.Breech repositioning unresponsive to Webster technique: coexistence of oligohydramnios.Journal of Chiropractic Medicine.
2013;12(2):74-78. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2013.06.003
