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When the moment of birth arrives, the baby positions itself in different ways in the uterus, the most common and well-known head position. According to obstetrical specialists, this is the most suitable position for normal childbirth , in addition to the most common. Present in 90% of cases, the baby soon takes the head position naturally. Much is discussed about the ideal positions for birth and those that favor only cesarean delivery .
There are positions that can hinder normal birth, however, they do not require the need for cesarean section. In Brazil, births through cesarean sections reach 40%. According to research conducted by Nascer Brasil, 28% of women determine the choice of cesarean delivery in early pregnancy.
Who Should Decide the Ideal Position?
The decision of the best delivery should be evaluated by the obstetrician following the position and health conditions of the pregnant woman and the baby . The healthiest thing is to wait for the moment of labor and analyze whether positioning and other conditions require a cesarean or normal delivery.
Head Position Is Most Suitable For Normal Childbirth
In this condition, the baby is positioned upside down, being the healthiest in cases of natural or normal delivery . It is assumed naturally by most babies, reaching up to 90% of cases. The head position can be considered reflected or deflected. Bent is when the baby fits the center of the head perfectly in the birth canal. The deflected position, on the other hand, is positioned all over the head and not just the center. Both favor normal delivery. The only position that requires a cesarean is the deflected 2nd degree , when part or all of the face is turned towards the birth canal.
Understand About the Main Positions at the Time of Birth
Pelvic position
Usually the baby is sitting with his head up. There are claims that this positioning only allows for cesarean delivery, although this is not a rule. With the baby seated , normal birth becomes more difficult, but not impossible, it will depend on the evaluation of the obstetrician.
Transverse position
The baby lies down and occupies the entire space of the uterus. There are doctors who are able to modify posture and make the child reach the head position when approaching the date of birth. When exactly the moment of delivery arrives and the baby is still in the transverse position, cesarean delivery is mandatory .
When Caesarean section is mandatory:
- When the baby is positioned transversely and does not turn until the moment of delivery;
- In cases of premature displacement of the placenta ;
- If the umbilical cord appears before the baby, in the birth canal;
- In some cases of mothers with heart disease;
- When the mother has the HIV virus and has a high viral load;
- High blood pressure cases should be evaluated in isolation by the obstetrician.
Myths About Baby’s Position During Childbirth
- Mandatory C-section in cases of seated babies;
- Impossibility of turning the baby over;
- “Very large” babies are only able to deliver by cesarean section.
What Makes Baby’s Head Positioning Difficult? (h3)
Scientific study points out that the chances of cephalic positioning occur spontaneously after 36 weeks of gestation reach up to 25%. Other complications can occur and hinder cephalic positioning , such as: less amniotic fluid , short umbilical cord, first pregnancies and possible fetal or uterus abnormalities.
IMPORTANT: When the fetus is healthy and active, accompanied by an adequate amount of amniotic fluid, the cephalic presentation appears earlier in pregnancy, considered the best position for both normal birth and the most comfortable in the intrauterine space.
Other abnormal situations can also make it difficult for the fetus to move around, such as lesions that occupy the uterus, for example, fibroids . Complications must be evaluated, risks of anencephaly and hydrocephalus , can hinder the cephalic position.
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See Also: Normal or Cesarean Delivery – Is It Really a Choice?
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
