What does the medical term "cephalic presentation" mean, how will it affect the course of labor? Should I be worried if the doctor says that the child has a parietal or frontal cephalic presentation? We will try to answer all questions as clearly as possible.
This is an important factor, often determining the course and nature of childbirth. Presentation experts call the position of the fetus in the uterus, which he occupies throughout pregnancy. Head presentation is recognized as the most optimal. Depending on the position of the baby, the birthing doctor may decide to have an independent birth or a caesarean section.
The baby can turn to the cervix with the head, buttocks, legs or sideways. In the process of gestation, children often change position. Different stages of pregnancy development are characterized by different levels of activity of the baby. The child can take the pelvic, head or transverse position several times in one day. This is considered absolutely normal. However, if in the early stages a change in position occurs often, then the closer the birth, thethe baby becomes calmer and the less his activity.
Specialists control the process with ultrasound at the 12th, 24th and 33rd weeks. However, special attention is paid to the presentation of the fetus at 28-32 weeks. At this time, the fetus occupies the most physiological or cephalic presentation. After 34 weeks, it is difficult for a child to change position, due to the fact that his weight and size are rapidly increasing, and there is less and less free space.
If the gynecologist leading the pregnancy says that the baby is upside down, this means that in most cases the birth process will be normal. However, there are several different types of cephalic presentation that you should also pay close attention to.
- The back of the baby can be turned towards the mother's abdominal wall or towards her spine. It is better if the back is directed towards the mother's spine. In this case, especially if the head is pressed to the chest, childbirth is easier. This position is considered the most optimal. The majority of babies, about 97%, occupy this position.
- Also distinguish right-handed position or left-handed. Babies may turn slightly to the right or to the left.
- Frontal, occipital, parietal, facial presentation. Depending on which part of the head the child faces the cervix before childbirth, this parameter is determined. The most correct and less traumatic is the flexion of the occipital location of the child. In other cases, the probabilitytrauma to mother and child is increasing. Head presentation of the fetus, the photo of which is presented below, is especially dangerous.
However, even if the baby is not in the right position before birth, this does not mean that you need to start panicking. Just the opposite. A woman needs to calm down and completely trust the doctor in charge of childbirth. If you follow the doctor's instructions, then the likelihood of avoiding ruptures and not injuring the baby increases several times. Only complete mutual understanding between you and coordination of actions will lead to a successful resolution of the birth process. It is the trust and desire of the woman in labor to help the obstetrician that often determines the result of childbirth. And cephalic presentation, in itself, is the key to a successful birth!
