When a fetus is in the posterior position, it means that it is head down but its face is towards the mother’s abdomen. It usually doesn’t interfere with vaginal delivery, but may cause more back pain and slower labor. Some women may require assistance or a C-section.
When a fetus is in the posterior position, it means that it is head down but its face is positioned towards its mother’s abdomen while the back of its head faces towards the back of her pelvic region. This position usually doesn’t mean much, as babies change positions frequently during labor and delivery, and most eventually end up in the face-down position that most doctors consider desirable. If the baby doesn’t reposition itself, however, a woman can usually still have a vaginal birth, but she may experience more labor pain in the back than if the baby were in the face-down position, and in some cases, labor may progress more slowly or require intervention.
For a woman who has heard that her baby should be face down for delivery, knowing that her baby is in the back position can lead to concern. Often women wonder if they can have a normal vaginal birth when a baby is in this position. In most cases, this placement will not interfere with a woman’s ability to deliver vaginally. In fact, it usually doesn’t cause any problems, since many babies shift positions before and during labor. Therefore, a baby may start out in a posterior position in the womb and then switch to a face-down position before delivery, but even if the position doesn’t change, it usually doesn’t interfere with delivery.
Although a baby who is in a posterior position can be delivered vaginally, his mother can sometimes endure additional discomfort due to this position. Some people believe that when a baby is face up, a woman is more likely to experience a great deal of lower back pain during labor. It’s important to note, however, that scientific evidence doesn’t necessarily back this up. Some studies show that the face-down position is just as likely to produce back pain during labor.
Aside from back pain, there is some evidence that women with posterior children are more likely to share certain work experiences. For example, this type of labor may not proceed as quickly or steadily as others, and a woman may need to push for a longer period of time. Similarly, these mothers are often more likely to require assistance with their vaginal births, such as a doctor using forceps to help pull the baby out or administering medications to stimulate stronger contractions. Additionally, the posterior position may slightly increase a woman’s risk of needing a C-section.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
