What is fetal position?
Updated: Nov 21, 2022
What is fetal position?
Fetal position looks a bit like making a C-shape, with a curved spine, head down, and arms and legs pulled in close to the body. While your baby will stretch, kick, and move around often in the womb, this is typically the go-to position they’ll hang out in most of the time.
Fetal position is generally the most comfortable position for your baby in the womb and even after birth. As you get closer to your due date, this position is also important because it helps your baby get into the best position for birth and helps to lower the risk of complications during delivery.
In your uterus, the fetal position usually means your baby is hanging upside down. However, babies can be in the fetal position but have their head pointing upward or be completely sideways.
The fetal position isn’t limited to little ones in the womb. Once your baby is born you’ll often see them curled up in this shape. Babies, children, and — sometimes even adults — will also use the fetal position for comfort and self-soothing. It’s also the go-to for most people for getting a good night’s sleep.
