Position (obstetrics)

In obstetrics, position is the orientation of

the fetus in the womb, identified by the
location of the presenting part of the fetus
relative to the pelvis of the mother.
Conventionally, it is the position assumed
by the fetus before the process of birth, as
the fetus assumes various positions and
postures during the course of childbirth.

Positions
Depending upon which part of the fetus is
expected to be delivered first (fetal
presentation), there are many possible
positions:

Vertex presentation with longitudinal lie:

Name Abb. Description

occiput,[note 1] as against the buttocks, is close to the vagina (hence

Left
LOA known as vertex presentation) faces anteriorly (forward with mother
occipitoanterior
standing) and towards left. This is the most common position and lie.

Right occiput faces anteriorly and towards right. Less common than LOA,
ROA
occipitoanterior but not associated with labor complications.

Left
occiput faces posteriorly (behind) and towards left.
occipitoposterior

Right
ROP occiput faces posteriorly and towards right.
occipitoposterior

occiput faces anteriorly (absolutely straight without any turning to

Occipitoanterior
any of the sides)

occiput faces posteriorly (absolutely straight without any turning to

Occipitoposterior
any of the sides)

Left
LOT occiput faces left
occipitotransverse

Right
ROT occiput faces right
occipitotransverse
 Breech presentation with longitudinal
lie:[1]
1. Left sacrum anterior (LSA)—the
buttocks, as against the occiput of the
vertex presentation, like close to the
vagina (hence known as breech
presentation), which lie anteriorly and
towards the left.
2. Right sacrum anterior (RSA)—the
buttocks face anteriorly and towards the
right.
3. Left sacrum posterior (LSP)—the
buttocks face posteriorly and towards the
left.
4. Right sacrum posterior (RSP)—the
buttocks face posteriorly and towards
right.
5. Sacrum anterior (SA)—the buttocks
face anteriorly.
6. Sacrum posterior (SP)—the buttocks
face posteriorly.
Shoulder presentation with transverse
lie are classified into four types, based
on the location of the scapula
(shoulderblade); note: the presentation
is significantly different from asynclitic
positioning, and in most cases needs to
be delivered by cesarean section.
1. Left scapula-anterior (LSA)
2. Right scapula-anterior (RSA)
3. Left scapula-posterior (LSP)
4. Right scapula-posterior (RSP)

See also
Child birth
Fetal relations
Presentation
Cephalic presentation
Fetal position

Notes
1. Occiput is the prominence of the back of
the head

References
1. Kish, Karen; Joseph V. Collea (2003).
"Malpresentation & Cord Prolapse (Chapter
21)". In Alan H. DeCherney. Current
Obstetric & Gynecologic Diagnosis &
Treatment. Lauren Nathan (Ninth ed.).
Lange/McGraw-Hill. p. 369. ISBN 0-07-
118207-1.

External links
Normal Labor and Delivery from
Management of Labor and Delivery
provided by Google books

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