A Transversal Intersects Two Lines

A fetus is in a transverse position when it is sideways, at a 90-degree angle to the pregnant person'southward spine. In situations when a fetus cannot be turned into a head-downward position by the fourth dimension a person goes into labor, a cesarean department (C-department) volition probable exist required. Vaginal birth with a transverse position poses risks to the babe and the person giving nascency.

It is estimated that between 2% to xiii% of babies are in malposition at delivery—meaning that they are not in the cephalic (head down) position.

Black pregnant person with Black doctor — Marko Geber / Getty Images

Causes and Risk Factors

At that place are both physiological features that tin can cause a fetus to be in a transverse position, too every bit certain take a chance factors that could increase the chances of that happening. These include having:

A bicornuate uterus, meaning that the uterus has two separate sides, and so you may only be able to fit a fetus that is in the transverse position
Oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios, conditions which involve abnormally low or high amniotic fluid volume, respectively, during pregnancy

Other mutual risk factors include:

The position of the placenta (particularly, if the pregnant person has placenta previa)
Going into labor early
Beingness meaning with twins or other multiples
The pregnant person's pelvic construction
Having a different blazon of abnormality of the uterus
Having a cyst or fibroid blocking the cervix
Not being a person's first pregnancy

Diagnosis

Information technology'south non uncommon for a fetus to be in a transverse position in the earlier stages of pregnancy, but in most cases, the babe's position shifts on its ain before labor begins.

Because at that place are no signs or symptoms of having a fetus in a transverse position, healthcare professionals diagnose this through an test method of Leopold's Maneuvers, which involves touching the pregnant person'due south abdomen to determine the fetal position. It is commonly confirmed by an ultrasound.

Timing of Transverse Position Diagnosis

The ultrasound done at a pregnant person's 36-calendar week checkup volition allow the healthcare providers see the position of the fetus as it gets closer to labor and commitment. If it indicates that a fetus is yet in a transverse lie position, the medical team volition formulate a plan for delivering the infant as safely as possible.

Handling

Approximately 97% of deliveries involve a fetus in cephalic presentation, which is when the baby's head is down, making a vaginal delivery easier and safer. But approximately 1% of deliveries involve a fetus in a transverse prevarication position—significant that its shoulder, arm, or trunk may present get-go.

In these cases, there are two options:

Attempting to manually turn the baby so that information technology can safely exist delivered vaginally
Doing a C-department

Although it's non always possible to manually rotate the fetus prior to delivery, if someone wants or needs to avert a C-department, a healthcare provider tin use ane of the following techniques to try to move the babe:

External cephalic version (ECV): This is a process typically performed at about 27 weeks of pregnancy that involves ii healthcare providers: 1 to lift up the baby's buttocks to move information technology into an upward position and a second to apply pressure to the part of the uterus where the babe is located—through the abdominal wall—in order to rotate the baby'south head forward or backward.
Webster technique: This is a chiropractic method where a healthcare professional person moves the pregnant person'southward hips to let their uterus to relax. Annotation, there isn't evidence to support this method.

In add-on, there are a few things a pregnant person tin do at dwelling to help the fetus get into a preferable position—though over again, there are no guarantees these will work. The methods include:

Getting on their easily and knees, and gently rocking back and along
Pushing their hips upwards in the air while laying on their back with their knees bent and anxiety flat on the floor—besides known as span pose
Talking or playing music to stimulate the infant
Applying something that is cooler in temperature to the tiptop of their abdomen (where the baby's head is)

Can Babies Return to a Transverse Position After Being Moved?

Fifty-fifty if the baby does modify positions, it is possible that it could return to a transverse position prior to delivery.

Complications

Whether the baby is built-in via C-department or had been moved to the point of allowing a vaginal delivery, other potential complications remain.

Cesarean Sections

While C-sections are generally safe for both the baby and the person delivering information technology, there are some inherent risks associated with the process, as there are with whatever surgery. For the pregnant person, these tin include:

Increased bleeding
Infection
Bladder or bowel injury
Reactions to medicines
Blood clots
Death (very rare)

C-sections can besides outcome in potential—though rare—complications for the baby, including:

Possible injury
Occasional breathing bug if they still have fluid in their lungs to articulate

Vaginal Commitment

Even if the healthcare provider is able to rotate the fetus to the betoken where information technology could exist safely delivered vaginally, labor will typically take longer, and it is possible that the baby's face may be bloated and appear bruised. If that happens, it's non cause for concern, as these changes tend to get away within a few days of birth.

If the umbilical cord is compressed during nascence, it could potentially deprive the baby of oxygen, and the baby may appear to exist in distress on the fetal monitor, which could necessitate a C-section.

Coping

Every bit with any birth, the pregnant person should work with their healthcare provider to develop a delivery plan. If the fetus has been in a transverse position throughout the pregnancy, the medical team will evaluate the position at most 36 weeks and make plans appropriately.

It'south as well of import to remember that even if the babe is caput down, things can modify quickly during labor and commitment, so information technology's also helpful for the meaning person and their healthcare provider to discuss options for different types of delivery, should that exist necessary.

A Word From Verywell

Pregnancy comes with so many unknowns, and the surprises tin can continue up until and including during labor and delivery.

Having conversations with your healthcare provider about possible childbirth scenarios early on in the pregnancy tin can give y'all the time to start thinking almost possible outcomes. This helps to avoid a state of affairs where you're because the risks and benefits of a particular strategy for the starting time time when the determination has to exist made.

And even if the fetus is in a transverse prevarication position throughout the pregnancy, it may assistance to know that when the time comes to evangelize, only effectually i% of babies are nonetheless in that position.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should a infant be positioned at 32 weeks?

Ideally, a baby should be in the cephalic position (head downward) at 32 weeks. If it is non, a doctor will examine the baby's position at effectually the 36 calendar week mark and determine what should happen next to ensure a smooth delivery. Whether this involves a caesarian department will depend on the specific case.
How oftentimes is a babe born in the transverse position?

Less than 1% of babies are born in the transverse position. In many cases, a doctor might recommend a caesarian delivery to ensure a more than safe delivery. The risk of giving birth in the transverse lie position is greater when a baby is delivered earlier their due appointment or if twins or triplets are also built-in.
When is a caesarian section typically performed?

A caesarian section, or C-department, is typically performed in the 39th week of gestation. This is done so that a baby is given enough time to grow and develop so that it is salubrious.
How do you turn a transverse baby?

In some cases, a doctor may perform an external cephalic version (ECV) to turn a transverse baby. This involves the doc using their easily to apply firm pressure to the abdomen so that the baby is moved into the cephalic (head-down) position. Most attempts of ECV are successful, simply there is the run a risk that a baby tin move back to its previous position; in these cases, a doc tin can attempt ECV again.

Verywell Wellness uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our manufactures. Read our editorial procedure to acquire more about how we fact-check and keep our content authentic, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Past Elizabeth Yuko, PhD
Elizabeth Yuko, PhD, is a bioethicist and journalist, likewise as an adjunct professor of ethics at Dublin City University. She has written for publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, and more.

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