In the last month of pregnancy, the baby can arrive at any time, as most mothers go into labor between 38 and 42 weeks. At this stage of great expectation and anxiety, expectant mothers who want a normal delivery may be concerned about something: the baby is sitting up.
Also called a pelvic baby, this position occurs when the baby is out of shape, that is, the baby is not face down. Therefore, the baby remains with its legs and hips toward the birth canal, rather than head down. The position prevents a normal delivery, since the baby can be trapped or the umbilical cord twisted.
Such is the case of the journalist Gabriela Prioli. The presenter recently released her labor report and commented that the baby remained seated throughout the pregnancy, which made the presenter’s plans to have a natural birth unfeasible. Previously, she Prioli had already revealed that she suffered from vasovagal syndrome, a condition that causes sudden fainting and, in her case, is caused by a fear of needles. Therefore, spinal anesthesia (“platform”), used for caesarean section, with a 17 cm needle would be somewhat undesirable for the presenter.
After all, how does the position of a baby conflict with childbirth? She continues to read and understand.
Child Sits
A study conducted by researchers in the United States found that between 96% and 97% of babies are upside down, that is, in an upright position, until birth. However, 3% to 4% remain seated, in a pelvic position, or even in a supine position, which is a very rare condition.
This condition contrasts with something common in babies still in their mother’s womb. During most pregnancies, the Sitting Baby is pelvic, that is, upside down, and this is absolutely normal. However, at the end of the pregnancy, the baby tends to do somersaults and turns the position, making it vertical, that is, face down, in the direction of the vaginal canal.
In this sense, the child is breech for various reasons. The first is the comfort of the position. In addition, other conditions can affect and limit the somersault movement, for example: a short umbilical cord, excess amniotic fluid or even fetal and uterine abnormalities. However, this does not necessarily mean that there is a problem with the health of the mother or child.
After all, how do you know if a baby is fit?
The main way to know if the baby is adjusting correctly is a palpation check with the obstetrician. Ultrasound also helps to understand how the baby is positioned in the mother’s womb. In this way, it can be followed throughout the pregnancy, at each prenatal visit.
In addition, other signs may indicate that the baby has finally closed, which are:
- Better maternal respiratory flow;
- Movement discomfort.
- Difficulty urinating
- Sensation of pressure in the pelvic area.
- Clearly lower abdomen.
- To better understand baby positions, look at the chart below.
Sitting baby: Normal Selivery x Caesarean Section
The anxiety of many mothers is usually related to the time of delivery and the position of the baby inside the abdomen, since normal delivery is not recommended when the baby is in the pelvic position. In this case, there is the possibility of the baby getting stuck in the vaginal canal or even breaking/twisting the umbilical cord, which is a dangerous condition as it can cut off the oxygen supply and increase the risk of brain damage.
Therefore, if the child has not turned in a head-down position at the time of birth, it is necessary to opt for a cesarean section, which in this regard provides more safety for the child.
Sitting Baby: After all, how do you get a baby to adjust?
Fortunately, there are alternatives for moms-to-be before a C-section. Physical exercises and some maneuvers can give “power” so that the child sitting at the end of the somersault. Find out below what are the ways to make a child adjust:
Spinning Babies
It is a series of exercises for pregnant women based on balance, gravity and movement. This technique helps the baby and frees the pelvis. In this way, Spinning Babies allow the baby to carry out the appropriate flexion and rotation mechanisms, thus finally entering the mother’s pelvis.
Moxibustion
It basically consists of an acupuncture technique that uses herbs to hold the baby in a rotating motion. So, when performing the procedure, the mother-to-be is given a hot stick with plants near her toes. This way the heat from the wand reaches the uterus and makes the baby more susceptible to the expected movement. This happens because her toes are stuck to the uterus. Therefore, the procedure can only be carried out with the help of a specialist.
Technology: Vertical External Copy (VCE)
A technique performed in a hospital setting where the physician manipulates the mother’s abdomen to stimulate the fetus to move and find a position for the head. ECV is only used if none of the above options work, as it has some minor risks, such as cord compression and placental abruption.
Finally, other exercises like yoga and squats can help get your child back to sitting.