How to Understand Cephalic Fetal Positions

Fetal position refers to the way that your baby is lying inside of your stomach. Doctors and midwives can determine fetal position by palpating your stomach with their hands. If the baby's position is questionable at the time of birth, it can be confirmed through an ultrasound.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Doctor or midwife

1. A cephalic position refers to the baby being head down. However, there are eight different ways a baby could be facing while head down.
2. Occiput Posterior The first position that your baby could be facing is called Occiput Posterior (OP). This means that the occiput (the back of the baby's head) is lying against your back and the face is facing towards your belly. This position is also known as sunny side up. If your baby is in this position during labor, it may take longer to be born.
3. Right Occiput Posterior The second position that your baby could be facing is called Right Occiput Posterior (ROP). This means that the occiput is facing towards your right buttocks and the face is looking towards the front of your left leg.
4. Right Occiput Transverse The third position that your baby could be facing is called Right Occiput Transverse (ROT). This means that the occiput is facing the right side and the face is looking towards the left side.
5. Right Occiput Anterior The fourth position that your baby could be facing is called Right Occiput Anterior (ROA). This means that the occiput is facing the lower right abdomen and the face is looking towards the left buttocks.
6. Occiput Anterior The fifth position that your baby could be facing is called Occiput Anterior (OA). This means that the occiput is lying against the center of the abdomen and the face is looking directly towards the back. This is the optimal position for birth.
7. Left Occiput Anterior The sixth position that your baby could be facing is called Left Occiput Anterior (LOA). This means that the occiput is facing the lower left abdomen and the face is looking towards the right buttocks. This is also an optimal position for labor.
8. Left Occiput Transverse The seventh position that your baby could be facing is called Left Occiput Transverse (LOT). This means that the occiput is facing the left side and the face is looking towards the right side.
9. Left Occiput Posterior The eighth position that your baby could be facing is called Left Occiput Posterior (LOP). This means that the occiput is facing towards your left buttocks and the face is looking towards the front of your right leg.

Tips & Warnings

• To know the position of your baby, ask your doctor or midwife to palpate your stomach and tell you the position.