What is the Ideal Position for My Baby?
You may have heard your healthcare provider talk about whether your baby is in the “ideal position” nearing your due date. The ideal position refers to what position your baby’s body is in as it descends before and during labor & birth.
Technically, the ideal position for the baby during labor is head down or vertex. This way, the head is the first body part to be delivered, followed by the shoulders and the rest of the body. This is considered the ideal position as it decreases the chances of your baby getting stuck and helps labor progress smoothly.
If your baby is not presenting head first, the presenting part can be the buttocks, feet, or both. This presentation would mean your baby is breech and requires skilled personnel to deliver them naturally.
Why is head down the ideal position?
Ideally, we want the baby’s back in an anterior position for optimal labor. It allows the baby to navigate the pelvis easily, allowing smooth progression of labor.
Breech babies and babies in a transverse position are more likely to get stuck and develop signs of distress, indicating the need for medical or surgical intervention.
What are ways to help turn a baby into the ideal position?
Our midwives are trained in optimal fetal positioning and can help the baby rotate into a favorable position before term naturally. Some of the positions and exercises we use include hands and knees and pelvic rocks. Sometimes we recommend the use of a peanut-shaped birth ball to open the pelvis for easier rotation.
Does Austin Area Birthing Center Deliver Breech Babies?
Unfortunately, we don’t deliver babies in breech positions at the birth center. We are aware that certain situations (including breech presentations) are not appropriate to manage outside of the hospital for pregnancy, labor, and birth. This is because they require a higher level of care and emergency-preparedness to avoid complications.
While this does not occur frequently, to ensure the highest safety standards for out-of-hospital birth, AABC has developed a list of conditions that are not approved for delivery at the birth center.
Some of these conditions include:
- History of two or more cesarean section deliveries or one cesarean delivery with a vertical incision.
- Twins or greater multiples pregnancy
- Breech presentation (baby not head-down) at term
We assess the baby’s back position during prenatal visits. If your baby isn’t head-down nearing 38 weeks, we advise options for transferring care to a hospital.
Does AABC offer vaginal birth after c–section (VBAC)?
At AABC, we offer VBAC if you have a history of one prior c-section with a low transverse incision and have an otherwise low risk pregnancy. We will request records of your previous c-section delivery to confirm that a VBAC is a good option for you. At the beginning of your care, we will review the risks and benefits of this option so that you can make the best choice for your family. Your chance of a successful VBAC is higher in a low-intervention environment such as a birth center.