Why your baby's position in your uterus matters

You hear a lot of chatter about the importance of your baby being head down, but did you know there is a lot more to a well-positioned baby than just that?

Perhaps you've heard of someone who experienced back labor? Or a very long labor? Or a baby who would not "fit" through the pelvis?

In each of these scenarios, I would be curious to learn more about how the baby was positioned inside the uterus because we know that there is an ideal position for baby to be (and when they are not, they can sometimes cause the above). You can easily see there are many variations of "head down"...

Of these four most common variations of "head down", research shows that left occiput anterior (LOA) is most ideal. LOA is where your baby has their back on the left side and faces towards the back between the right hip and the spine as shown in this photo.

Why does fetal positioning matter, anyway?

When your baby is in left occiput anterior position labor can be more efficient and less painful. Optimal fetal positioning can lead to fewer medical interventions, quicker labor, and a more positive birth experience.

Did you know that doulas are trained in labor positions that can help a baby rotate into an optimal position for birth? Contact us to explore if having a doula supported birth is right for you.