A few weeks before labor begins, a baby will move into the position he will be in for delivery. Mothers may typically feel this as their baby "drops" into their pelvis. The position of a baby during delivery affects the amount of time the mother must spend pushing, the need for assistance with delivery or the need for cesarean section. It may also have an effect on the baby or mother's health through the process.
Standard
The normal position for a baby and the best placement for delivery is with the head down and the baby's face toward the mother's back. The chin may be tucked in and the arms folded. This is known as the vertex position and results in the top of the baby's head being the first part to deliver. In some circumstances when the head is not down, a physician may turn the baby by pushing on the mother's abdomen to guide him into a head-down position, according to the Baby Centre website.
Posterior
The occipital posterior position is one in which the baby's face is toward the mother's abdomen, with the back of the head toward the mother's back. A mother with a baby in the posterior position at delivery may need to push longer during labor and may need assistance with delivery by use of forceps or vacuum extraction, according to Babycenter.com. Babies born in the posterior position may also have scalp or facial bruising at birth.
Breech
A baby who is not head-down for delivery may be in the breech position. According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are three types of breech presentation. Frank breech occurs when the baby's buttocks are down in the pelvis and the legs are extended up, with the feet near the head. A complete breech position occurs when the baby's buttocks are down in the pelvis with the legs folded. A footling breech occurs when the baby's feet are down in the pelvis.
Transverse
The transverse position occurs when a baby is lying in a horizontal position. If a physician is unable to turn a baby from a transverse position, the baby's shoulder may enter the pelvis first in an attempt to deliver. Uncorrected transverse positions require delivery by cesarean section.
Difficulties
Some positions not only cause difficulty with delivery but may endanger the baby if left uncorrected. Sometimes, part of the umbilical cord comes out ahead of the baby. This is known as a prolapsed cord and can be dangerous, as pressure is placed on the cord, cutting off the baby's blood supply from the placenta. Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby's shoulder becomes caught behind the mother's pubic bone, resulting in the baby becoming stuck in the birth canal. Delivery of a baby with shoulder dystocia requires certain maneuvers by the physician if possible, or cesarean section may be indicated, according to Merck.com.
