Baby Positions
Read about head-down fetal positions here. Go to the Breech section to read about head-up babies.
The Belly Mapping how-to article may give you clues to your own baby's position.
Anterior Placenta
What is the effect of an anterior placenta on fetal positioning?
An anterior placenta means that the placenta is located on the front of the uterus. Most of the baby will be hidden behind it.
It is a common belief that the anterior placement of the placenta causes the baby to be posterior. The fact that this is sometimes true doesn't mean it is always true. Babies can be anterior with an anterior placenta. Abdominal tone, when loosened, can allow the baby to turn away from the placenta and face the mother's back.
Chin tucking to engage
Flexion into the brim of pelvis helps the baby fit through the pelvis. Flexion refers to the tucking of the baby’s chin, often the first step to engagement of the head and the start of labor.
Flexion, or chin tucking, is more important than starting labor with an anterior head position!
Many posterior babies can be born with natural labor, or just a bit of Pitocin, when they begin active labor with their heads tucked. Learn about both flexion and engagement here.
