Is it possible to find out for yourself how the baby is lying in the mother”s belly?

Many mothers-to-be are curious about how their unborn child is positioned inside the womb. Although routine ultrasounds offer a clear solution, you may wonder if there’s a way to determine this on your own. As your pregnancy goes on, knowing where your baby is can make you feel more prepared and connected.

It may surprise you to learn that there are a few straightforward indicators you should watch out for that could reveal to you how your child is lying. Your body can give subtle clues, whether it’s the shape of your belly or the location of kicks. Even though these techniques aren’t perfect, they can provide some insight in between medical appointments.

This post will discuss some typical methods moms attempt to determine their baby’s position and the things to consider when doing so.

When can you determine the position of the baby in the belly?

The expectant mother is not alarmed by this question, even though the baby is still a long way off from being born. It is impossible to ascertain the baby’s position on your own in the early stages. Furthermore, the baby hasn’t decided on a stance just yet; it still has a lot of room to move around in the uterus. Pregnancy can usually cause a change in the "choice" of position up to 32 weeks. Furthermore, there is no need for concern if an ultrasound performed during the first or second trimester reveals that the baby is laying head up or even across the abdomen.

But as delivery approaches, the fetus’s position becomes crucial since it has a significant impact on the outcome of the birth.

There is not much room for movement because the fetus is actively growing in the third trimester. It’s thought that the baby usually takes the last position between 32 and 34 weeks on average. In approximately 95% of cases, the proper presentation is thought to be cephalic, or positioned head down. Should the baby present differently—for example, breech or transverse—you should be ready for a cesarean section in case things go wrong during labor.

Determining the position of the fetus by heartbeat

You will need a stethoscope for this method. The pregnant woman lies on her back while a family member places the stethoscope against her abdomen. Usually, they begin to listen from the bottom left and work their way up the sides.

The fetus is most likely lying correctly, or upside down, if the heartbeat can be heard most clearly and rhythmically below the woman’s navel.

The heartbeat is audible at or slightly above the navel in a breech presentation, and its tones are frequently more subdued.

By the way, a baby’s heart rate typically beats between 120 and 160 beats per minute. Should the figure deviate considerably from the average, you should consult a physician.

Determining the position of the fetus by movements and the shape of the abdomen

Active jolts are felt in the upper abdomen, above the navel, when the fetus is presenting cephalic.

The abs strongly protrudes forward and the jolts are felt under the ribs, especially on the right, if the baby is lying forward on his back, which is thought to be the ideal position.

The mother’s belly is flatter and the jolts are felt more strongly in the front of the abdomen if the back is on the side of her back. This is also regarded as a deviation from the norm. In this instance, the movements are felt throughout the abdomen, and occasionally the curves of an outstretched knee or foot are perceptible. The head of the fetus is typically felt a little to the left when you press your palm to your stomach at the base of the anterior abdominal wall.

The jolts of the fetal head are felt strongly in the perineum if the baby is lying very low, which usually occurs closer to labor. This can occasionally result in the urge to urinate.

The infant kicks with its legs in this manner when it is lying head up: active jolts and movements are felt below, in the region of the inguinal folds, close to the pubic bone. Light arm movements are felt in the upper abdomen. Here, the abdomen has a somewhat "triangular" shape.

If the baby is turned back forward, as is usually the case, the hardest part to feel is their back. You can feel a tubercle on the bottom and the legs close to it by running your palm along the back.

In both a cephalic and breech presentation, the rounded portion of the baby’s body—either the head or the bottom—can be identified in the upper abdomen. When the head is presented, the entire fetus will drop if you gently press on it from top to bottom. The head is the most likely to move in a breech presentation.

Presented transversely The woman’s belly appears remarkably large. One can feel the baby’s legs moving painfully and strongly. The navel region can occasionally hurt.

Yes, with a few easy techniques, an expectant mother can get a general idea of where her baby is in her womb, though this isn’t always accurate. She can usually make an educated guess by observing changes in the shape of the belly, feeling for the baby’s head or back, and keeping an eye on the location of kicks. However, especially as the due date draws near, doctors usually rely on ultrasounds or physical exams to confirm the baby’s position for a more accurate understanding.

Determining the position of the fetus using the "belly map"

American midwife Gail Tully from Minnesota offers an intriguing method for precisely determining the child’s position: creating a "belly map" (also known as "Belly Mapping").

1. On a piece of paper, draw a circle – "belly", and divide it into four segments. At the top is the fundus of the uterus, at the bottom is the pubic bone. The woman"s sides will be reflected on the map in a mirror image, that is, the left side is on the right side of the map.
2. Mark the baby"s heart on the map, that is, the place where it is most clearly heard. This is the top of his back. Therefore, it will be easy to find the head! Usually, the baby"s back can be determined by a particularly convex and smooth area of ​​the abdomen. Put this line on the map too. And the large bulge in the upper abdomen is most likely the buttocks.
3. Reclining or lying down, relaxed, observe the baby"s activity for two to three days, and note where you feel two types of movements: weak ones most likely mean the movements of the arms, and strong kicks – the legs.
4. Next, Gail Tully suggests taking a doll or a soft toy approximately the size of the fetus and putting it on the stomach, trying to position it as marked on the map. You will be able to figure out exactly how your baby is lying – not only in what presentation, but also how its body is turned relative to the mother"s back, which is also important for the course of labor. Most often, the baby"s head is below, and the back is in the area of ​​​​the mother"s left side.

Gail Tully provides a comprehensive list of specific terminology along with a detailed explanation of how to determine the baby’s precise position in her book "The Belly Mapping Workbook." However, we think that this information is more crucial for the doctor delivering the baby (also remember that an ultrasound can provide such a detailed image, even capturing a "portrait" of the child!).

A mother only needs to visualize how her child lies; naturally, if she has any questions or concerns, she should speak with a physician.

Reasons for the incorrect position of the child in the mother"s belly

• Polyhydramnios – it allows the baby to change position in the later stages.
• Pregnancy is not the first – in this case, the abdominal wall is stretched.
• Uterine fibroids, endometritis in the anamnesis.
• Anomalies in the structure of the uterus.
• Placenta previa or its low location.
• Narrow pelvis in the expectant mother.
• Prematurity – the baby simply did not have time to take the correct position.
• Fetal malformations.
• Heredity.

For many parents, one of the most exciting aspects of pregnancy is learning about the positioning of the baby in the womb. Moms can obtain a basic understanding of the baby’s position on their own, even though ultrasounds performed by medical professionals offer the most accurate information.

You can infer a good deal about the baby’s lying position by observing the shape and feel of the belly, as well as movements like kicks and stretches. By lightly pressing on the belly, some mothers might even be able to determine where the baby’s head or back is.

These techniques aren’t infallible, though. For a precise understanding of the baby’s position, it is always best to speak with a healthcare professional, particularly as the due date draws near. In the end, each pregnancy is different, and what matters most is that mom and baby are healthy and receiving proper care.

Video on the topic

How can I find out the position of the baby in the belly myself?

IS IT POSSIBLE TO FIND OUT HOW THE BABY LIES IN THE MOTHER"S STOMACH | How to determine the position of the fetus

How to determine the position of the baby in the belly yourself