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Journey of labour

Getting baby in the right position for birth

There are things you can do during pregnancy to encourage baby into the best position for labour.

How you sit and use your body can affect the position of your baby in the uterus.

While this does not matter so much during early pregnancy, later on it can affect the position that the baby moves into (in the pelvis).

Presentation during labour refers to which part of the baby enters the birth canal first. Normally, the crown of the head will enter first, which is known as cephalic presentation. Other forms of presentation such as breech presentation may cause difficulties with birth.

Once the baby is head down, the best position for a labour is the anterior position.

Anterior position means the baby’s head enters the pelvis facing your back.

This is the ideal and most common position for birth (see image). When baby is in the anterior position, the smallest dimension of the baby’s head leads the way through the birth canal.

Baby in the womb, head down, facing the mother’s spine.

What can I do to get my baby in the best position?

You can use different positions during your pregnancy to give you the best chance of ‘optimally positioning your baby’ prior to labour.

Positions include:

  • hands and knees, for as long as comfortable, or sitting on the floor

Pregnant woman on her hands and knees on the floor.

  • lying on your side is a better option when on the lounge, than sitting slumped and relaxed back into the lounge chair

Pregnant woman lying on her left side, head and shoulders on a bean bag with pillows between her knees and arms.

  • sitting on a low stool or fit ball, where you are in a supported squat.

Two pregnant women sitting upright on an exercise ball.

What if baby is in the posterior position

Posterior position means the baby’s head enters the pelvis facing your stomach instead of your back.

It’s good to know that most babies will turn around during labour, but some don't.

Baby in the womb, head down, facing the mother’s stomach.

How can this affect my labour?

If your baby is in the posterior position when labour starts, it can lead to a longer labour with more backache.

If baby doesn’t turn, you may be able to push baby out yourself or your doctor may need to turn the baby’s head and/or help your birth with forceps or a vacuum cup.

In this guide:

  1. COVID-19 and labour
  2. Preparing for labour and birth
  3. Who will support you in labour
  4. How your body prepares for labour
  5. Getting baby in the right position for birth
  6. When to seek advice during pregnancy
  7. Final preparations for labour

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Acknowledgments

Queensland Health acknowledges the Metro North Hospital and Health Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, for permission to use the content of their GLOW antenatal education resource.

Last updated:
18 May 2020
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