What Does It Mean If a Fetus Is in the Posterior Position?

When a fetus is in the posterior position, this means he is head down but his face is positioned toward his mother's abdomen while the back of his head is facing the back of her pelvic region. This position doesn't usually mean much, as babies often change positions during labor and delivery, and most eventually end up in the face-down position that most doctors consider desirable. If the baby does not reposition himself, however, a woman can usually still have a vaginal birth, but she may feel more labor pain in her back than if the baby was in a face-down position, and in some cases, labor may progress more slowly or require intervention.

To a woman who has heard that her baby should be in a face-down position for delivery, learning that her baby is in a posterior position may lead to worry. Often, women wonder whether they can have a normal vaginal delivery when a baby is in this position. In most cases, this positioning will not interfere with a woman's ability to give birth vaginally. In fact, it usually doesn't cause any problems, since many babies change positions before and during labor. As such, a baby may begin in a posterior position in the womb and then change to a face-down position before delivery, but even if the position doesn't change, it won't usually interfere with delivery.

Though a baby who is in a posterior position can be delivered vaginally, his mother may sometimes endure additional discomfort because of this position. Some people believe that when a baby is face up, a woman is more likely to experience a great deal of lower back pain during labor. It is important to note, however, that scientific evidence doesn't necessarily back that up. Some studies show that the face-down position is just as likely to produce back pain during labor.

Back pain aside, there is some evidence that women with posterior babies are more likely to share certain labor experiences. For example, this type of labor may not proceed as quickly or as steadily as others, and a woman may need to push for a longer period of time. Likewise, these mothers often are more likely to require assistance with their vaginal births, such as a doctor using forceps to help pull the baby out or administering medication to stimulate stronger contractions. Additionally, the posterior position may slightly increase a woman's risk of needing a Cesarean section.