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.