My baby is lying “the wrong way”
“How is my baby positioned right now?”
“Does it already need to be in the correct position?”
“What happens if it doesn’t turn anymore?”
These questions are completely normal. The baby’s position is something many expectant parents think about – and it often causes uncertainty. Below you will find a brief overview of the different stages of pregnancy and how your baby’s position can change.
The first months: Plenty of space
In the first weeks and months of pregnancy, the baby’s position plays practically no role. Your baby is still very small and has plenty of room in the uterus.
Up to around the 20th week of pregnancy, it is completely normal for your baby to turn very frequently – the position can even change several times a day. Many women do not feel these movements at all yet, or only very subtly.
Mid-pregnancy: Your baby becomes stronger
Between the 20th and 28th week of pregnancy, your baby becomes stronger. You will feel movements more clearly, sometimes very energetically. At this stage, the baby’s position still changes often.
The baby may lie head down (cephalic position), bottom down (breech position), or sideways or diagonally in the womb (transverse or oblique position). All of this is completely normal at this stage. The uterus continues to grow and there is still enough space for turning.
The final trimester: Space becomes more limited
From around the 28th to 32nd week of pregnancy, space gradually becomes more limited. Many babies begin to settle into a preferred position. For most, this is the head-down position.
Even if your baby is still bottom down at this stage, there is no reason to worry. Many babies still turn on their own after this point.
From weeks 32–34: Position becomes more important
From around the 32nd to 34th week of pregnancy, we as gynecologists take a closer look. It becomes increasingly difficult for the baby to make large movements. Most babies are now lying head down – this is the most favorable position for a vaginal birth.
If your baby is still in a breech position at this stage, it is still not a cause for alarm. Some babies turn spontaneously in the following weeks.
From week 36: Preparing for birth
From the 36th week of pregnancy onward, the baby’s position usually remains stable. Many babies no longer turn, or only very rarely. If your baby is now lying head down, this is ideal from an obstetric point of view.
What does “lying the wrong way” mean?
Your baby is never “lying the wrong way,” just differently. If the baby is in a breech or transverse position, this is not the mother’s fault. The baby’s position depends on many factors, such as the shape of the uterus, the position of the placenta, or the length of the umbilical cord.
What can I do if my baby is in a breech position?
A breech or transverse position does not automatically mean a cesarean section. Many women would like to actively do something to influence the baby’s position. This is understandable, and there are gentle measures that can be tried as long as the pregnancy is uncomplicated.
These include, for example, slightly elevating the pelvis, movement or walks, warmth applied to the lower abdomen and coolness to the upper abdomen, as well as relaxation exercises. Acupuncture or moxibustion can also be tried.
An attempt at an external version of the baby by an experienced physician can also be carried out under certain conditions.
What is important to remember: None of these measures can guarantee that the baby will turn – and that is okay. In the vast majority of cases, your baby will find the right position for birth on its own. And even if the baby remains in a different position, there are safe and good ways to support the birth individually and responsibly.
If you have any questions, please contact your attending physician.
