When does the fetus turn around? The importance of this issue!

The fetus turns its head toward the vagina during the third trimester, making the journey to birth easier. Otherwise, both mother and child could be in danger.

By the end of their third trimester, 95% of babies turn their heads and down the uterus. The position of the head down will help the labor time be shorter, the delivery process is convenient and safe for both mother and baby. In the following article, aFamilyToday Health will introduce the importance of the fetus turning and how to encourage the baby to do this.

Why do we need to pay attention to the fetus turning around?

You should pay attention to the fetus turning around for the following reasons:

When the mother is pregnant, the baby's head is the first part to appear. If the fetus turns its head in the right position, it will reduce  complications during childbirth , shorten the time of labor as well as help you not be too painful, and minimize the most risks.

When the fetus turns, this action puts pressure on the mother's cervix, which in turn causes the cervix to expand and stimulate the production of hormones needed for this area.

In the bow position, the baby's head will reach the bottom of the pelvis. This is the widest part of this area and the baby will easily go through, from there the birth process takes place without too many obstacles.

What does fetus turn around mean?

The correct position of the fetus is that the baby's head is facing the vagina and the face and front of the body are facing the mother's back. Your baby's spine will be facing your abdomen. In this direction, at normal birth, the baby can be born face down.

How many weeks pregnant can the fetus turn around?

Most of the little angels do this when they reach 32 - 36 weeks of pregnancy and this is the most ideal period. Some babies start to turn their heads down even after 37 weeks, and a small percentage of babies start to turn their heads down during  labor .

Signs of fetus turning

There are many ways to find out if your baby is bowed before birth, such as:

The doctor can locate the baby's head by palpating the abdomen, using a pacemaker or fetal ultrasound.

If you press lightly around the pubic bone and feel something hard and round, it's her head. In addition, it should be noted that many mothers may mistake the baby's buttocks for heads, but in fact, the buttocks will be softer.

Pregnant mother can ask her husband to listen to the heartbeat. When you hear a sound from your lower abdomen, this will be a sign that the baby is turning

One of the other signs to help pregnant mothers feel that their baby has turned her head are hiccups and soft thumping in the lower abdomen and strong kicks in the upper abdomen. Light thumping sounds come from baby's hands and fingers, while kicks come from knees and feet.

Why the fetus does not turn around?

If the fetus has not yet turned around, common causes may come from:

Fibroids

The umbilical cord is too long

Too much or too little amniotic fluid around the baby

Multiple pregnancies, usually the twin will be in an opposing position

The mother's uterus is of irregular size or shape

There is a risk if the fetus does not turn around

In general, the phenomenon of the fetus not turning has little effect on the baby, but as it progresses to the delivery stage, the risk of the baby being stuck in the vaginal canal will be higher and the mother cannot supply oxygen to the baby. over the umbilical cord.

A 2000 study that looked at more than 2,000 women in 26 countries found that, if the fetus does not turn around during pregnancy, the doctor's planned cesarean delivery is safer than a normal delivery. . Along with that, the rate of death and complications at birth also decreased significantly.

How to help the fetus turn around

If the fetal turn is not performed by the 36th week, there are some suggestions outlined below with your doctor's advice:

Sitting on a soft ball is often used for exercise instead of a chair

Kneel on your arms and legs in a crawl position, then lean up and down for a few minutes. You can do this a few times a day to make it easier for your baby to turn his head down

Walk for at least 20 minutes a day. Active activity creates movement in the pelvis of pregnant mother, stimulates fetus to turn head down

When sitting in a chair, keep your knees higher than your hips

If your job requires you to sit a lot, take frequent breaks and move around the room

Kneel on a low-height mattress or bed. Hands touch the floor and head down, keeping your back straight while lifting your buttocks up. Hold this position for a few seconds and then start to sit up

Avoid placing your feet high while lying on your back. This will cause the baby to rotate incorrectly, thereby prolonging labor and causing severe back pain during childbirth.

In addition, pregnant mothers should sleep on their left side instead of lying on their back

By the third trimester, your baby will begin to respond to outside noise. Therefore, what you need to do is play some soothing music, placing the headphones in the lower pelvis. Your baby will hear it and slowly move down to where the noise was.

What to do when the fetus does not turn around?

If you have tried quite a few measures but the fetus has not yet turned their head, see your doctor for timely assistance, such as using force on the abdomen to help the baby rotate exactly. and instruct some dedicated exercises.