How many weeks does a baby turn head down during pregnancy?

Why does a baby turn upside down during pregnancy?

Before birth, in the last months, the baby's presentation is determined. Presentation is the position of the fetus in relation to the birth canal. The baby can be in the following types of presentation:

head;
pelvic;
lateral (transverse).

Head presentation is considered the most comfortable position for the baby, and childbirth is the least traumatic. The most dangerous position is considered to be the sideways position, and delivery is recommended only by cesarean section. If the baby turns over with his legs down, then the decision on the method of birth is made taking into account all indicators and factors.

What are the options for cephalic presentation of the fetus?

The cephalic presentation of the fetus, in which the longitudinal position of the child remains clear and stable, contributes to the formation of several options for the location of the fetal head: facial, frontal, anterior, occipital.

The flexion occipital presentation is considered the safest and most comfortable for the child. In this case, the small fontanelle on the baby’s head will act as the axial point of movement along the birth canal. The cephalic presentation of the fetus in the occipital version implies such a movement of the child through the mother’s birth canal, in which the baby’s neck will be bent and its birth will begin precisely with the appearance of the back of the head. This option applies to up to 95% of births.

But the bends of the cervix during cephalic presentation of the fetus can be quite varied. Therefore, doctors distinguish 3 main degrees of extension presentation:

When the baby rolls over into the cephalic position

As the baby's height and weight increase and there is less space, he begins to prepare for his exit and takes the most comfortable position for himself. In recent months it should be constantly monitored. This position of the fetus can be understood not only through ultrasound examination. Possible methods for determining presentation:

palpation through the anterior abdominal wall and listening to the heartbeat with a stethoscope;
examination through the vagina;
Ultrasound examination.

The position of the baby must be constantly monitored, therefore, after the 30th week of pregnancy, you cannot neglect scheduled examinations with a gynecologist once a week, so that in case of discrepancy you can take action.

At what time, in how many weeks should he turn over?

Usually the fetus is in a cephalic position at 32-34 weeks. If this is not the first pregnancy, the due date may shift one to two weeks to the right. Before thirty-two weeks, if the situation does not comply, there is no need to panic. It is necessary to take into account the weight and level of development of the baby. In this case, you need to be patient and listen to the advice of the supervising gynecologist.

If the pregnancy is multiple

If you are expecting two or more babies, the optimal period for breech birth is 34-35 weeks.
However, it is not necessary that both fruits will occupy the same position. In case of multiple pregnancy, the following types of fetal positions are distinguished:

both babies are upside down: in this case, as a rule, one fetus weighs less than the other;
one fetus is upside down, the other is with its buttocks: this position is the most common. If the baby that is in the cephalic position is located lower, natural birth is recommended, since it opens and widens the passage for the second one, and he can come forward with his butt without any problems;
both fetuses are positioned with the buttocks down: in this case, delivery is recommended only by caesarean section;
one child is positioned head down, the other sideways: if the baby with a cephalic presentation is in the lower position, then he can be born naturally, and for the second, surgical intervention is recommended. This case is extremely rare and requires special observation.

When it turns over due to anatomical pathologies of the uterine structure

If the uterus has pathologies, for example, uterine fibroids develop or there are abnormalities in the structure, the fetus may take a more comfortable position than a cephalic presentation.
Most often, this is a breech presentation, since the pelvic area is smaller in volume than the baby's head. And in the presence of pathological changes, for example, myomatous nodes, it is more convenient for the baby to turn his buttocks down.

It is important to remember that it is possible for the fetus to change in position during the last days of pregnancy or just before birth, but this does not always happen. In this case, doctors try to avoid the process of natural childbirth, so as not to cause complications.

Why is the baby in the womb...

…lying head down?

In fact, he constantly turns over and somersaults almost from the moment the embryo is born. Until about the 34th week, the baby easily turns over, but then it becomes cramped for him, he takes the final position and no longer tumbles, but only moves his arms and legs. Normally, having “calmed down”, the child lies head down - this makes it easier for him to “go out”. Sometimes this happens in the last days before contractions, so if you discover on an ultrasound that the baby’s legs are looking down, there is no need to panic. However, in approximately 6 cases out of 1000, breech presentation occurs during childbirth, and even less often - lateral or facial presentation. Among the reasons that contribute to this are the habit of always sleeping on one side and a sedentary lifestyle.

It makes sense to move more - this will help the baby feel where the “exit” is. Some exercises, such as “cat” and “half bridge,” also help the baby to position himself correctly.

… twists in the umbilical cord?

The simplest answer is precisely because it “tumbles” while it has enough space for it. It should be immediately added that the likelihood that the baby will stick his head into the umbilical cord loop is small, but with a long umbilical cord, an active child and oligohydramnios, this can happen. The length of the umbilical cord depends on genetics - the mother herself cannot influence this factor. But the baby’s excessive mobility may be associated with a lack of oxygen.

Loose single and double entanglement of the umbilical cord is not considered dangerous, since it usually does not interfere with the free flow of blood through the vessels of the umbilical cord. If such a situation is noticed on an ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound is usually prescribed - measuring the blood flow of the placental vessels, and cardiotocography is also done - the rhythm of the baby’s heartbeat and its mobility are measured. Often, after some time, the baby “unravels” - ultrasound will help monitor the situation. If a single entanglement of the neck, arm or leg remains before childbirth, it is not a contraindication to natural childbirth, but the obstetrician will need to take into account the situation and choose a certain delivery tactic that will allow the loops to be removed in time. If tight and repeated entanglement is observed, the mother will most likely be offered a cesarean section at approximately 37 weeks.

Mothers can mistake different sensations for trembling, which, in turn, can be associated with various reasons. First: limb tremor may be a feature of the development of the nervous system. As the baby “gets comfortable” in his own body, such trembling goes away - sometimes after he is born. Second: sensations from the umbilical cord. Children do sometimes touch the umbilical cord or grab it with their hands. This vibration can also give the impression of shaking. Third: cramps. The baby in the womb cannot tolerate nicotine - the fetus receives less oxygen and experiences painful cramps. According to researchers, the unborn child does not like smoking so much that even the mother’s thought of a cigarette leads to a rapid heartbeat of the baby: the desire to smoke a cigarette disrupts the mother’s hormonal levels, and it is to this change that the child reacts.

The correct answer is not to smoke at all, or at least quit smoking a year before conception. But if the baby is already “in the project”, and the habit is strong, a sudden cessation of smoking can harm both the child and the mother even more. Therefore, you should gradually, over several weeks, reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke. At the same time, take only a few puffs each time. Considering that smoking interferes with the absorption of substances necessary for the child, it is necessary to drink complexes containing vitamin C and iron and spend more time in the fresh air.

...hiccups?

In the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby begins to hiccup. It feels like rhythmic twitching, sometimes like small spasms, sometimes like tapping. It happens that the mother does not feel the contractions herself, but watches how her stomach “shakes and shakes.”

Hiccups indicate that the baby’s central nervous system is formed to a certain level. Hiccups are absolutely safe for the fetus: they are not associated with pain, do not cause discomfort, and do not cause harm. Scientists consider hiccups (as well as intrauterine yawning) a sign of healthy nervous system development. Doctors do not know the exact cause of hiccups, but they name several possible reasons:

First: preparation for independent breathing.

Second: swallowing a large amount of amniotic fluid - hiccups (rhythmic contractions of the diaphragm) help remove excess amniotic fluid.

Third: hypoxia (lack of oxygen). Hiccups in themselves cannot be a symptom of hypoxia, but with a lack of oxygen, the baby can, in principle, become very active and mobile.

“Go away, hiccup, from me to Fedot...” is unlikely to help here. And there is no need to stop the spasms. But if the “clockwork” inside begins to bother you, you can change your body position, and if this doesn’t help, go breathe fresh air.

Photo: Galina Gallo

Can it not turn over?

Sometimes the fetus does not have time to turn over and take a cephalic presentation, or something interferes with this. This may be affected by developmental defects of the child or health problems of the mother:

fetal hypoxia;
short umbilical cord or umbilical cord entanglement, ultra-high motor activity of the fetus;
defects in fetal development;
excessive stretching of the uterus due to previous pregnancies or surgical interventions;
injuries to the walls of the uterus;
polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios;
incorrect position of the placenta (low);
excessively narrow pelvic bone;
small weight and height of the fetus;
even experienced stress.

It is important to note that sometimes after a diagnosis of malpresentation, the baby may still turn over - after measures have been taken or when the stomach drops. In the latter case, there is more space and the stretched muscles themselves direct it to the correct position.

Head presentation: causes of different types

If the cephalic presentation of the fetus is not occipital, but of other types, this is due to certain reasons. The main ones:

a woman has a narrow pelvis;
the presence of oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios;
the fetus is entwined with an umbilical cord:
the fetus is premature;
the fruit is small or too large;
there are abnormalities in the development of the uterus or fibroids.

Quite often, the baby is not positioned in the uterine cavity as it should be if there are tumors or scars from previous operations. Therefore, the likelihood of malpresentation during the second or third birth is greater. The fact is that the fetus naturally strives to take the position in which it is comfortable.

In pregnant women who have given birth many times, the anterior wall of the uterus may be stretched. This also leads to incorrect positioning of the baby.

Sometimes extension of the second or third degree is observed in those women who themselves were born in a similar way, that is, they seem to have inherited this position of the fetus. In this case, the reasons for incorrect cephalic longitudinal presentation of the fetus can be different.

Low placenta previa during pregnancy is very dangerous, when it partially blocks the exit to the pelvis. In this case, the child is positioned incorrectly.

What does cephalic presentation mean if there is a pathology? It is necessary to carry out timely diagnosis and prevention and monitoring to minimize risks.

What do doctors suggest if the baby does not roll over?

If malpresentation is determined, the observing gynecologist often recommends performing special exercises, thanks to which the woman can help the baby roll over. They should be performed daily unless there are contraindications. If you feel discomfort or discomfort or pain, stop charging immediately.

The presented set of exercises is approximate and may vary depending on individual factors during your pregnancy.

Walking on all fours is recommended to be done for as long as possible before fatigue or discomfort appears.
Back bending into the “cat” pose – standing on all fours, arch and bend your back for five minutes.
Exercises on a fitball: squats and jumping while sitting.
Leg bending at the knees - lying on your back, you need to raise one leg straight and sharply bend the knee, moving it as close as possible to your stomach. Alternate legs and perform 10-15 exercises.
Lying on your back, hands behind your head, turn from one side to the other.
Lying on your back and bending your knees, raise your pelvis for 5-10 seconds.

You should not exercise immediately after eating or waking up.
This set of exercises can be performed even if there is no direct indication for it - they are simple and useful and help the baby to establish his position in the tummy.

The psychological attitude is also very important - talk to your baby, stroke the tummy clockwise, try to attract his attention by applying headphones with pleasant music to the lower abdomen. Make sure that the clothes do not pinch at the waist, are loose and without belts or elastic bands.

If absolutely necessary during the birth process, the doctor can help the baby turn over by inserting his hand through the vagina. But this is a very painful procedure and is used only in cases of extreme necessity, for example, if the umbilical cord has become entangled.

Can it turn back?

In rare cases, after determining the correct presentation, the baby turns over to another position.
The reason for this may be either physical developmental problems or the expectant mother’s failure to comply with the requirements prescribed by the doctor, for example, due to heavy lifting. Sometimes the baby turns head down too early for himself, and over time he simply begins to twist and choose a different position.

To avoid such situations, you should follow the recommended physical activity - do yoga for pregnant women, do light exercise, walk in the fresh air, and with your doctor’s permission, visit the pool.

If your doctor recommends that you wear a special bandage, you should avoid tight clothing until the end of pregnancy, do not skip routine examinations, and take a course of prescribed vitamins.

Will the mother feel the fetus turning over?

It is difficult to determine on your own whether your baby is in the right position.
However, there are side symptoms of a cephalic presentation of the baby that any mother can notice. After turning the baby upside down, it becomes easier for the woman to breathe, shortness of breath and heartburn disappear, as the pressure on the internal organs of the abdominal cavity decreases. However, now the urge to go to the toilet occurs more often.

When you independently palpate the tummy, you can feel that a denser and wider part of the body is being felt at the top - the buttocks. Including the baby’s movements become brighter and more noticeable in the upper abdomen.

Even if your baby is not in a cephalic position before birth, this does not mean that something will go wrong. The modern level of medical care allows you to foresee everything in advance and prepare for any option. You just need to fulfill all the requirements of the medical staff and set yourself and your mischief-maker only positively.

Source of the article: https://bestmama.online/beremennost-po-nedelyam/na-kakom-sroke-rebenok-perevorachivaetsya-vniz-golovoj.html

At what age does a child turn upside down: basic norms

At the very beginning of pregnancy, an embryo is implanted in the uterine cavity and begins to actively develop. He is growing by leaps and bounds, and will soon begin to resemble a tiny baby with a disproportionately large head and small limbs. As it develops, it turns over freely many times. After the twentieth week, the baby becomes especially active, which the mother senses through a significantly increased number of movements. Now the baby can turn upside down or down, and also turn around. However, time passes, and the “house” becomes a bit cramped for him. Now the most important thing is to take the right position while your body size still allows you to do so. Today we want to talk about at what stage a baby turns upside down.

Correct presentation

The easiest birth will be if the baby is pressed against the cervix with the largest part of the body itself. This is how, head first and face down, he must pass through the birth canal and be born. Expectant mothers are always concerned at what stage the baby turns upside down. In fact, everything is individual, so you should not rely on the experience of your friends, but talk to the doctor who is observing you. He will definitely be able to dispel all doubts and give certain recommendations.

But it should be noted that there are certain medical standards by which doctors assess at what stage a child turns upside down. These are average standards that must be adhered to, but these limits can vary quite significantly.

So many questions

On the one hand, it’s easier to trust nature, because it knows better what to do. However, when the time of birth approaches, more and more often a woman begins to wonder at what stage the baby turns upside down. And at the same time a lot of questions arise. What to do if the baby is in a different position? Why was he positioned differently? We will try to answer them in our article.

So, at the beginning of labor, the baby should lie head down and back to the front wall of the uterus, facing the mother’s spine. His head rests against the cervix, and when the opening begins, it is the head that first enters the birth canal. This is an ideal option in which childbirth is most favorable. At what weeks does a baby turn upside down? Doctors call the figure 32-34 weeks. Right now this happens most comfortably, since the size of the baby allows such manipulation to be performed. Usually at this stage a third ultrasound is prescribed, during which the doctor notes how the fetus lies.

Approaches to diagnosing cephalic presentation of the fetus

Gynecologists begin to monitor the cephalic presentation of the fetus from the 28th week of pregnancy. A general examination is performed by placing the doctor’s open right palm over the symphysis. In this position, a dense round part is felt, which is the fetal head. Head presentation is indicated by its placement above the entrance to the pelvis. The fetal head is very mobile in the uterine waters. Therefore, doctors practice additional vaginal examination.

With the help of gynecological ultrasound, the position of the fetus, its position, position, position, and appearance of the fetus are determined. Having specified such details, the woman counts the baby’s heartbeat under the navel.

It is very important to accurately diagnose fetal presentation, which mainly affects the birth scenario.

The standard correct option for childbirth includes birth with an occipital anterior cephalic presentation of the fetus. With such a diagnostic result, the mother in labor should not worry about the correspondence of the birth canal and the size and shape of the fetal head. This type of birth is the safest, since the baby’s chin is hidden inside the body closer to the baby’s chest. Thanks to the correct bending of the head, the birth canal is less injured, since the baby's head is located in the smallest possible way. In addition, there is an additional inversion of the fetus, in which the face turns to the mother’s sacrum, and the back of the head is directed towards the symphysis pubis.

All other options for childbirth are distinguished by their complexity due to the unfolded cephalic presentation of the fetus. The baby turns the back of his head towards the sacrum. In this case, labor is significantly delayed, which can cause fetal asphyxia or the development of weak secondary labor. In such a situation, care and experience from obstetricians is very much required.

The mechanics of labor during anterior cephalic presentation of the fetus is accompanied by the passage of the baby's head, following the movement of the large fontanel. Obstetricians are required to have perseverance, the ability to wait, but also to respond urgently in critical situations if there is a danger to the life and health of the mother or child.

After diagnosis of frontal cephalic presentation of the fetus, delivery occurs mainly through surgical intervention. For a woman, such childbirth is very painful. Natural childbirth with such indications threatens with deep ruptures of the birth canal and genital organs. At the beginning of labor with a frontal cephalic presentation, gynecologists try to perform an additional rotation of the fetus, but if this attempt is impossible, then they resort to a cesarean section and a craniotomy is performed.

Diagnostic indicators for the normal course of labor with a facial cephalic presentation are the wide size of the woman’s pelvis, the small size of the fetus, the body’s tendency to active labor, and the baby’s chin facing forward. In this case, special attention is paid to the dynamics of labor, the state of health of the mother in labor, and the fetal heartbeat is carefully measured based on cardiotocography and phonocardiography. If, with a facial cephalic presentation, the chin is the dominant point in the direction of movement, then a cesarean section is immediately required. In this case, there are very great threats to the baby’s life. If the fetus is stillborn, a craniotomy is performed immediately.

An exception

As we have already said, not all children fit the definition of normal. Moreover, this does not indicate the presence of any pathology. When talking about how many weeks a baby turns upside down, it should be noted that sometimes he takes the correct position in time, and closer to birth he returns to his previous presentation, head up. This is bad for labor, since the head is the most voluminous part of the body; it perfectly opens the birth canal. When the child moves with his legs forward, complications may arise.

There are situations when the baby takes this position. This is the so-called breech presentation. The doctor can find out exactly how your baby is positioned during the examination.

Should you worry about your baby's position?

So, it is already approximately clear when the baby begins to roll over. Doctors give average dates, but up to 32 weeks, breech presentation for a baby is completely natural and normal. There is no need to worry about this or do anything, you just have to wait. A little later, the baby will independently take the correct position.

What do doctors say about when a child turns head down? Evidence suggests that up to 30 weeks, about 30% of children are in the breech position. And only 4% maintain this position at the beginning of labor. On average, babies assume their natural position for leaving the mother’s womb at 33-34 weeks. However, there is reliable evidence that immediately before birth the baby had time to roll over, especially if it is small in size.

That is, if by the 34th week the baby continues to be positioned head up, then there are reasons for concern. However, there is nothing wrong with this, everything can still be improved. Sometimes there is a transverse position of the fetus, when it lies across the uterus. If he retains it at the time of labor, then a cesarean section is performed.

At what week should a baby turn head down?

Closer to the expected date of birth, the baby turns its head towards the pelvis.
This usually occurs towards the end of the third trimester of pregnancy and is called cephalic presentation. This position is a sign that the baby is almost ready to be born.

When does a baby turn head down?

Between 27 and 40 weeks, the doctor performs an examination to determine the position of the fetus in the uterus. It is then that his presentation will become clear. The presentation - that is, the position of the child - determines how the birth will proceed.

Much fewer surprises await a woman if the baby occupies the classic position in the uterus - upside down. The cephalic position of the fetus is the most favorable for childbirth, since in this case the risk of complications for the baby is minimal. However, do not be alarmed if the position in your baby’s uterus is different: pelvic or transverse. This doctor’s verdict is also not critical, it’s just that your birth will be different. And they will take place under the close attention of doctors.

Fetal position

Head position of the fetus (fetus head down): detected at the 7th month of pregnancy, when the doctor palpates the abdomen of the expectant mother. This will also be confirmed by the results of a vaginal examination and ultrasound examination.

Breech presentation of the fetus (the baby either “sits” on the butt with his legs up, or “squats” with his legs down, or tucks his legs under him) is recognized from the 32nd week of pregnancy: in the upper part of the uterus, the doctor feels the baby’s hard head, and at the bottom - a soft butt.

Transverse presentation of the fetus (the fetus lies transversely) is determined from the 20th week of pregnancy. Having felt the expectant mother’s belly, the doctor will “discover” the baby’s head and buttocks on the sides.

There is no specific week or day in which women can expect their baby to reach the required position. In some cases, the baby turns over already at the beginning of labor or several hours before the start. For other women, this happens several days or weeks before labor begins.

A reversal into cephalic presentation closer to the day of birth usually occurs in women who already have children. This is because their body is already familiar with labor, so it may take less time for the pelvis to adjust to the process.

Women who are pregnant for the first time may find that the baby turns over several days or weeks before giving birth. This may be because their pelvic muscles take longer to adjust to childbirth.

If a woman thinks her baby is upside down, she should talk to her doctor. The doctor can check the baby's position, which can help them predict when labor will begin.

What does it look like?

Some women may feel the baby's turning over as a sudden, tangible movement. Others may not feel anything at all and miss this moment.

Some women may notice that their stomach feels lighter after the baby turns over. This may be because the baby has moved into the pelvis, leaving more room in the belly. This feeling of freeing up space in the abdomen is the reason why rolling over is also called relief. However, for some, this relief can be daunting. Sometimes, as the baby moves down, women feel as if they have a bowling ball between their legs. Every woman has her own unique experience of turning her baby over.

Nine signs your baby is upside down during pregnancy

The following signs indicate that the baby is likely to have turned head down:

Abdominal prolapse. When baby rolls over, the belly may look like it has dropped a little.

Pressing pain in the pelvic area . As the baby moves into the pelvis, pressure in this area may increase. This can cause a woman to feel like she is swaying from side to side as she walks.

Flare-ups of pelvic pain . When the baby turns over, some women may experience flare-ups of pelvic pain. This may be due to the baby's head being pressed against the pelvic ligaments.

Easier breathing. As the baby rolls over and lowers into the pelvis, there is less pressure on the diaphragm. This may make breathing easier.

Haemorrhoids. Once the baby is in the prenatal position, his head may put pressure on the nerves in the pelvis and rectum. This pressure can cause hemorrhoids.

More discharge. Moving the baby toward the pelvis increases pressure on the cervix. This causes her to secrete mucus, which remains at the top of the cervix for the rest of the pregnancy. This happens to prevent bacteria from entering the uterus. After the baby turns over, mucus may come out of the vagina as a jelly-like discharge.

Frequent need to urinate. As the baby moves lower into the pelvis, his head may put pressure on the bladder. This may cause a woman to urinate frequently.

Backache. A cephalic baby's position may place additional pressure on the muscles in the lower back. This may cause back pain.

Hunger. Correct prenatal positioning of the baby can reduce pressure on the stomach. This can relieve heartburn and increase hunger.

The role of the intrauterine position of the fetus during childbirth

If a woman thinks her baby is upside down, she should see a doctor. The doctor can determine what position the child is in using a special scale. Some doctors use a three-point scale, while others use a five-point scale.

The five-point scale is more traditional and more widely used. A 2015 scientific paper describes it as a system that divides the pelvis above and below the ischial spines into five segments. The ischial spines are located on the pelvis. When the baby is ready to be born, his head is level with them.

The five-point scale measures from -5 to +5. Each step forward on the scale means the baby is one centimeter closer to being born. Before the baby turns over, the woman may be at point -5. When the baby turns over (and moves deeper into the pelvis), the woman may be at the zero point. When the baby descends into the vagina, the woman may be at point +5.

According to a 2014 study, 95 percent of women are at or below the zero point during full dilatation. To assess what stage a woman is in, the doctor examines the woman's vagina and tries to feel the baby's head.

How to help your baby get into the right position before birth?

If the due date is approaching and the baby has not yet turned over, the woman can try to carry out certain actions to encourage the baby to take the desired position. These include:

Hiking
Sitting on a birthing ball
Squats
Pelvic tilts

These actions help open the hips and stretch the pelvic muscles. This may encourage the baby to move into the pelvis.

When should you see a doctor?

It is normal to feel pain in the pelvic area after your baby has moved into the prenatal position. However, some types of pelvic pain may need evaluation. Talk to your doctor if your pelvic pain is constant or recurring. Or if it is accompanied by:

Bleeding
Loss of fluid
Fever

Turning over of the baby usually occurs towards the end of pregnancy. This can happen either immediately at the onset of labor or several hours and sometimes weeks before. For women pregnant with their first child, this process is likely to occur several weeks before giving birth.

This maneuver may feel like a sudden, sharp movement, however, some women do not even notice when it occurs. Having your baby cephalad can make breathing easier and increase appetite. This happens because space is freed up in the abdomen and pressure on the organs is reduced.

As the baby rolls over and lowers himself down, the pressure on the pelvis may cause some pain. But if the pain is continuous or regular, it is recommended to talk to your doctor.

For what reasons does the fetus not turn over on time?

In fact, there can be a lot of them, so in each specific case you need to consult your doctor and find out when the fetus should turn over. However, years of medical practice and accumulated experience allow doctors to name a number of cases in which the fetus cannot take the desired position in the uterus:

These are fetal developmental defects.
A large amount of amniotic fluid and small fetus size.
Oligohydramnios and large baby size.
Abnormal structure of the uterus.
Low position of the placenta.

Prevention

If the baby is developing normally, then there is a high chance that he will take a normal position, even if a little later. A reasonable question arises: how long can a child still roll over? The answer is quite simple, right up to childbirth. However, it is advisable to know and follow some rules that will facilitate this. Moreover, prevention should not begin at 34 weeks, when the baby is already clearly late in turning over.

From the very first day of pregnancy, remember the need for physical activity. They should be moderate, but regular. You should forget about the soft sofa and armchair, or sit on the very edge with your legs spread. Sit on the chair backwards so that your stomach rests against its back. Fitball exercises are extremely useful. You can sit on the ball, jump or swing and do a light warm-up. Try to travel less by public transport, it is better to walk. It is very useful for pregnant women to do water aerobics, do gymnastics for pregnant women, swim and dive. And, of course, try to be in the fresh air more often, go out of town, and walk in forested areas.

Features of preventing complications during childbirth

If a woman has any abnormal changes in the health of her gynecological organs, then there is a very high probability of a difficult birth that will require surgical intervention. For such women, a very careful diagnosis of the condition of the fetus, its location, and placement aspects is required. A woman in labor is most often placed on a hospital stay to avoid additional stress and irritation in the environment of everyday life. In addition, during this time, detailed rational tactics for childbirth are developed. With early detection of a complicated fetal presentation, the woman has time to prepare for a cesarean section, in which case the likelihood of subsequent psychological distress is reduced.

Special exercises

Now you know exactly at how many weeks the baby should turn down. This occurs at 32-34 weeks. If the baby is in no hurry to take the correct position, you need to help him with this. Psychologists recommend talking to the baby and asking him to turn over quickly. In addition, regular clockwise circular massage of the abdomen may help.

Osteopathic doctors recommend more often taking a position that is uncomfortable for the baby, in which he immediately begins to push. Lie down on the floor, on a hard surface, and spend ten minutes in this position. Then roll over onto your back, and after ten minutes onto the other side. Such turns are performed 5-6 times. The knee-elbow position is very useful. Do it as often as your schedule allows. You can move around the apartment on all fours, slightly swaying your hips. Additionally, doctors recommend performing pelvic lifts, body tilts and the “bicycle” exercise 10-15 times.

Doing a somersault, or how to turn a baby with a breech presentation

I found an interesting article that might be useful to someone.

One day, at about 28 weeks, you once again came to see your doctor, and he told you that the baby had not yet taken the correct position in the uterus. This means that the baby is turned down not with his head, but with his legs and buttocks. You should not be afraid of this situation, since many children take the classic position after 32-34 weeks, or even on the eve of birth.

Why did the baby take the wrong position? Your doctor will tell you about the medical reasons for breech presentation. But if everything is fine with your health, let's look for other possible reasons. Perhaps you have a habit of sleeping the whole night in one position. Most people often turn from side to side in their sleep. But some people lie all night, or most of it, in one position. If a pregnant woman sleeps without turning over on one side every night, this can negatively affect the position of the baby in the uterus. Therefore, before going to bed, lie down in different positions that are comfortable for you for at least 2-3 minutes several times. These actions will help you establish a new sleep behavior program. Also try to fall asleep in different positions. I understand perfectly well that at the end of pregnancy it can be difficult to fall asleep even in your favorite position, let alone change it, but still try - it’s worth it. After all, in a week or two the old habit will be forgotten, and the new one will begin to work. Don't stay up too late. This is harmful to your health and the well-being of your baby. The expectant mother should also not be overtired. People who go to bed late or are very tired often wake up in the morning in the same position in which they fell asleep. But if a person lies in one position for 8-10 hours, his spine and internal organs are greatly shifted downward under their weight. In this case, there is a violation of the position of the spine and internal organs, tissue accumulation and blood stagnation, which leads to a lot of problems. We could go into more detail on this, but this article is not about sleep during pregnancy. I will only say that breech presentation is one of the possible troubles. If the expectant mother lies in the same position from night to night or rarely changes it, her uterus and the baby in it will move down each time and spend 8-10 hours a day in this position. In the early stages of pregnancy, the baby will spin and roll over at night, but when the baby grows up and becomes cramped, he will try to take a position that is comfortable for him at night, turning around, each time in a certain plane, at an angle that is convenient for him. During the day, receiving greater freedom, he will change his position, moving in different directions, and at night he will again turn to his favorite position. But when the pregnancy comes to an end, at 31-32 weeks, there is a high probability that, the baby, not being able to easily turn over and spin, will remain in the position in which he previously spent only the nights. This position may be completely inconvenient for his birth (for example, transverse), which will greatly complicate childbirth. Staying on your back for a long time also leads to other negative consequences specific to pregnant women due to poor oxygen supply to the uterus and baby. Watch your diet. Don't eat a lot at night, don't eat heavy protein fatty foods. No matter how much you would like a fried chop or a cake with whipped cream, do not reassure yourself that pregnant women can eat whatever they want, and that this will only affect your figure. After all, there are known cases when a mother who consumed harmful foods suffered poisoning, and her unborn baby felt so bad that she turned over with her buttocks down or across. Sometimes the reason is the sedentary lifestyle of the expectant mother. At 30-32 weeks, the baby may simply “get stuck” in the wrong position if the mother sits and lies most of the time, thereby depriving the baby of the opportunity to roll over. Severe emotional stress experienced by the mother, or physical overload that is unusual for her, can also cause the baby to turn his buttocks down. But sometimes the child takes this position because it is most comfortable for him to be in it - the length of the umbilical cord and the location of the placenta make this particular position comfortable for the child. In this case, trying to turn the baby over is useless.

How to turn a baby over in a breech presentation? In many cases, a breech presentation can be converted to a normal breech presentation with the help of special exercises. Yoga for pregnant women can greatly help with this.

Even in the very late stages of pregnancy, yoga helps the baby take the correct position in the womb. Inverted poses give the greatest effect. Correctly performed by the mother, a handstand against a wall, a birch tree and its variations, a headstand, a bridge and a half-bridge encourage the baby to turn upside down. But inverted asanas can only be performed by trained women who practiced yoga before pregnancy and continued during it. Otherwise, you can seriously undermine your health. Before performing these asanas, women do a special warm-up that prepares them for inverted poses.

The bridge and half-bridge are excellent exercises for breech presentation, which create conditions for the baby to turn over if he has a breech or transverse presentation. But the duration of execution is selected individually for each mother, taking into account her state of health and preparedness. For expectant mothers who have never practiced yoga before, I recommend doing a very simple exercise - a “half bridge”, placing several compactly folded blankets under the lower back. In order for staying in this position to give the desired effect, you need to be in it for at least 15 minutes several times a day, starting with three minutes and gradually increasing to 15-20 over the course of a week. In this version, this exercise is available to any, even the most unprepared woman, because By doing it while lying on a stack of blankets, a woman can relax. All static exercises, i.e. asanas, and especially inverted poses, including the “bridge,” should be done before meals or no earlier than 3 hours after meals. In the pregnancy yoga group I worked with, there were several cases of babies getting into the correct position between 30 and 36 weeks. Therefore, do not worry ahead of time, the baby feels all your emotions perfectly. Just help him a little! By the way! Inverted positions in no way can turn the baby over with the buttocks down, that is, from a cephalic to a breech presentation. When the mother takes any inverted position, the baby gets greater freedom of movement, but uses this to roll over only if his position in the womb is incorrect. The baby subconsciously strives to use every opportunity to roll over and take the correct position. And it is when the mother performs inverted poses, bridge and half-bridge, that the most convenient conditions for inversion arise. And babies who have already taken the correct position have no reason to change it, and nothing encourages them to act. For a woman whose pregnancy is more than 32 weeks, turning the baby into the correct position is not an easy task. She needs to work hard. All exercises help the baby roll over only if they are performed frequently and for quite a long time (women who do not have problems with the position of the child usually do these exercises for a short time). Turning a baby over after 32 weeks is much more difficult than preventing such a situation by leading a healthy and active lifestyle and doing yoga. Let's make a revolution! Exercises for breech presentation 1. Let's get started! Feet shoulder-width apart, arms down. On the count of one, raise your arms to the sides with your palms down, stand on your toes and at the same time arch your back, taking a deep breath. On two – exhale and start position. Repeat 4 times. 2. Lie on the side to which the back of the fetus is facing in a breech presentation, or opposite to the side to which the head is facing in a transverse presentation. Bend your knees and hips and lie quietly for 5 minutes. Then take a deep breath, turn over your back to the other side and lie quietly again for 5 minutes. Then straighten the leg that is on top of you, for the pelvic position, or the one on which you are lying, for the transverse position of the fetus. The second leg must remain bent. Take a deep breath and bend your straightened leg again at the knee and hip joints, clasp your knee with your hands and move it towards the back for a breech presentation or towards the buttocks for a transverse presentation. At the same time, the torso will lean forward, and the bent leg will describe a semicircle inward, touching the front wall of the abdomen. Exhale deeply, relax, straighten and lower your leg. Then take a deep breath again and repeat the exercise again. This exercise should be done 5-6 times.

3. Exercise “Cat”. While kneeling, place your hands on the floor so that your hands are directly under your shoulders and your knees are under your hips. Inhale, lift your head and tailbone, arching your lower back (photo 1). While kneeling, place your hands on the floor so that your hands are directly under your shoulders and your knees are under your hips. Inhale, lift your head and tailbone, arching your lower back. As you exhale, tuck your tailbone under you, while at the same time arching and releasing your back (photo 2). As you inhale, try to feel a smooth movement from the base of your back to the top of your head. As you exhale, draw your navel toward your spine, straighten your shoulder blades, and focus on the feeling of your back lengthening. Repeat the exercise 10 times. 4. "Half-bridge". You need to lie on the floor, raise your legs and place several pillows under your pelvis so that your pelvis becomes 30-40 centimeters higher than your shoulders. In this case, the shoulders, pelvis and knees should form a straight line. Thanks to this exercise, some children turn into the correct position the first time. If the child is still stubborn, repeat the lesson 2-3 times a day. However, never do this on a full stomach. There is another version of this exercise. You can sit your husband opposite and put your legs on his shoulders so that your popliteal fossae are on his shoulders. 5. Lying on your back. Bend your legs at the knees and hip joints, place your feet shoulder-width apart on the floor, extend your arms along your body. On the count of one, inhale and lift your pelvis, resting on your feet and shoulders. On two – lower your pelvis and exhale. Then straighten your legs, tighten your buttock muscles, pull in your stomach and perineum, while inhaling. Relax - exhale. Repeat 7 times. The set of exercises should be repeated 3 – 4 times a day for 7 – 10 days. This type of gymnastics is simple and does not require much effort. It is often effective, and often the fetus is turned into the correct position within the first 7 days. If during classes you feel movement or something similar to noise in your stomach, then most likely you have “persuaded” the child to take the correct position. A long walk and a bandage will help him stay in this position. But to make sure of success, you need to do an ultrasound. Good luck! I am sure that everything will work out for you and your baby!