Why is Finding Your
Preborn Baby's Position so important?
Beginning
to learn about the position of your preborn baby
is not only important in how
it relates to your labor and delivery,
it's also about understanding a great way
to communicate and bond with your Preborn baby.
Your
Preborn Baby’s Position….. Where
to begin?
It’s
not always easy for a pregnant mother to tell how her preborn baby is positioned
during earlier
months and the position may be frequently changing.
The
good news is that as your pregnancy progresses,
your baby’s position will become easier and easier to determine,
when you approach your
seventh month of pregnancy.
The first thing mothers-to-be may ask …
"How often will I feel the movement of my baby and when will it begin?"
It
is important to understand that every baby is different. Some preborn babies may be
active
and easy to feel, while others are less active and not as noticeable.
Once you feel
regular movement, you may notice
patterns of wakefulness, as well as sleep
patterns. If this is your
first
baby, you feel movement from 18- 25 weeks and if you have had previous children,
you may feel it some weeks earlier. Most
Preborn babies are most active and
move more about 30 minutes after you have
eaten.
How
much should my baby move?
The American Congress of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends
that you time how long it takes you to feel ten
kicks, flutters, swishes or rolls.
Ideally, you will want to feel 10 within 2
hours,
You will likely feel 10 movements in less time than that.
A couple of simple terms you will hear…
Here are some terms that will help you understand
the new language you may be
learning during your pregnancy.
Anterior Position means your baby’s back is
facing your front.
You’ll know this if you feel your baby kick under your ribs.
Posterior Position means baby's back is next to your back.
You’ll
know this if you feel your baby’s kick at the very front of your tummy
and your
belly appears slightly flatter. In
approximately the seventh month of pregnancy,
you will begin to enjoy touching
the shapes of your pre-born baby.
These
are some of the shapes you may feel and begin to recognize.
“What should I look for?”
Knowing the shape of your
baby’s bottom.
Feel
for a soft but firm rounded surface at the top of your womb.
If you also notice
kicking about the level of your bellybutton,
then your baby’s head is down... a good
position labor and birth.
If
you feel a firm hard ball at the upper part of the womb,
and it seems to move away from
your finger if you push, then your baby
may be in the head-up or breech position.
If you notice this, you should discuss this with your healthcare provider.
. 
How to listen for your
baby’s heartbeat.
You
and your family can enjoy listening to your baby’s heartbeat,
using a cardboard
paper towel, toilet paper roll or if available, a fetal stethoscope.
The
baby’s heartbeat will be found in the lower part of the abdomen if the baby’s
head is down.
Remember…
babies are mobile even in late pregnancy
and a head-up baby (breech), can turn
to the down position for delivery.
Our Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice.
Please … consult your health care provider for all your questions.