As the pregnancy enters the last trimester the movement of the baby becomes more frequent as it position itself for birth. As the kicking and wiggling increases the feelings of discomfort also likewise increase because there is lesser space in the womb and the baby has to get into the right position for the delivery. Depending on the placement of the baby there are a few birth positions.

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• Anterior: The anterior position is the safest position for delivery. The baby faces the mother’s back and the head is downwards. The head can be flexed and the chin can be tucked inside the chest. This position is also known as cephalic presentation and the baby is almost ready to enter the pelvic region. Usually babies get into this position by the time they 33 weeks.

• Posterior delivery: In this position the baby faces the stomach instead of the back with the head downwards. About 1/10th babies are in this position when the labor starts but gradually change their positions to the anterior so that the delivery goes on smoothly. However, in about 28% cases the child does not turn which prolongs the delivery with enhanced back pain. Pain killers might have to be administered to reduce the pain.

• Breech: The breech position can make the delivery process difficult and risky for the mother and baby. It is not very rare and at least 1 case can be found in every 25 pregnancies. In the breech birth the head appears last. Usually the buttocks or the legs come out first. It enhances the risk of the umbilical cord getting tangled and injuring the baby. There are three kinds of breech presentations: complete, frank and footling. In the case of breech birth the external cephalic version is applied. If it is not successful then the doctors opt for a caesarian section.

• Transverse lie: In this case the baby lies in a horizontal position inside the uterus. If the baby does not turn till the end then a C-section is the only way of delivering the baby. This is done because the umbilical cord might come out before the baby which is an emergency and the baby has to be delivered immediately.

Is it possible to turn the baby?

Sometimes the baby does not turn inside the belly before the birth and has to be forced into such a position. This is possible only when you know the current position of the baby. Therefore, a visit to the doctor is extremely important. You may try these methods to coax the baby into getting into the right position:

• Tilt the pelvis forward rather than backwards while sitting down

• Try sitting on the exercise ball or a birth ball

• Keep the hips higher than the knees while sitting down

• While sitting in the car sit tilt your behind forwards

• Remaining on your hands and knees for sometime everyday helps the baby to get to the anterior position

Speak to a doctor before trying out any of the positions.