You will have to pardon me for a while because I will be writing based on the experience I had in the labor room and the lessons I picked from there. All through the nine months and two weeks, I carried my fetus, I ensured I didn't miss out on a day for my ante-natal check-up because I didn't want anything to go wrong.
All through the time of consistent check-ups, my doctor always said all was well with me and my growing child, I had the confidence I needed as I gradually approached the time my baby was to come. Unfortunately, when it was time for my supposed final check-up, the hospital I registered in went on an unexpected strike and I was unable to see my doctor as planned.
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Due to this incident, I had to go to a different hospital and a different doctor to have my baby, it was before the delivery time that a scan was carried out and it was discovered that the presentation of my fetus was not positioned appropriately and it will affect the previously planned vaginal delivery, so we were advised to go for a cesarean section.
Although I finally had a natural delivery, it made me learn so much about the effect of fetal presentation. During pregnancy, the position of the fetus comes in different ways, sometimes the fetus may have its head maybe in an upward or downward position, facing either the front or the back of the mother's womb.
At the end of the pregnancy phase, the fetus would become even larger and give less room for the fetus to move around, making it remain in one position. The presentation of the fetus is the path that leads the baby out through the birth canal.
The normal position for a fetus is the cephalic presentation phase, where the face is head-down, facing the mother's back with a chin tucked to its chest and the back of the head, just ready to enter into the pelvis. Most babies get into this position from the 32nd to the 36th week of pregnancy.
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Aside from this perfect position, there are several other positions that a baby can get into creating complications during childbirth;
Frank Breech: This position has the baby's buttocks leading its way through the birth canal, with the hips flexed and knees extended. With this position, there is an increased chance of having an umbilical cord loop which could come before the head through the cervix, causing injury to the baby if vaginal delivery is done.
Cephalic posterior position or Occiput: In this case, the baby's head is facing downwards as usual but looking upward, this position is also nick-named sunny-side-up, with this position, there is an increased painful and prolonged delivery.
Complete breech: With this position, the fetus has the presentation of its buttocks first, with the hips and the knees flexed, and just like other cases of breech position, there is an increased risk of having an umbilical cord loop that could get the baby injured if delivered vaginally.
Footling breech: In this case, either one or two of the baby's feet are pointed toward the birth canal, increasing the chances of the umbilical cord to lither down into the mouth of the uterus, disconnecting the supply of blood to the baby.
A vigana delivery is a safe form of childbirth, but when the baby is in a breech position, vaginal delivery could be complicated, this is because the head of the baby is larger than the bottom, and there is a risk of the entrapped when the head of the baby gets stuck in a mother's uterus, making it difficult to deliver the baby.
Although rare, some healthcare professionals try out ways to turn the fetus before the mother goes into labor, these methods have no possibility that they will work out and the fetus can even turn again into the wrong position, these methods are usually used;
Sometimes, the fetus can be encouraged to change position, bearing in mind that the exercise may not work, some healthcare providers still believe there is a chance of having the baby turned. This position may involve a yoga-pose style where you place your hands and knees gently rocking forth and back, another option is pushing your hips in the air while you lie on your back with the knees bent flat on the floor.
External cephalic version(ECV): This is a non-invasive method used to turn the fetus and improve the chances of vaginal birth, this procedure is often carried out within 36-38 weeks of pregnancy, after which the baby's heart rate will need to be monitored to ensure it stays within normal level.
Utilizing the option of talking, music, and light could also make the fetus change its position. This can be done by placing some cool sound on your stomach and speaking some words to your baby.
It is possible to deliver a baby in a breech position vaginally, however, it can pose danger for mother and child, as the cord may be compressed during birth, with the child being deprived of oxygen which could cause serious harm to both the nerves, and brain of the child.
Conclusion.
I had an intense prolonged delivery because my baby was positioned in a cephalic posterior position, it was a very painful and intense process that brought about several lessons that cannot be forgotten in a hurry.
References.
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/baby-positions-in-womb#transverse-lie
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9677-fetal-positions-for-birth
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323099#takeaway
Hi, I am Tobi a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. If you want to hear me speak on relationships and general life issues, you can find my YouTube channel where you can watch any episode for free, please do not forget to subscribe, friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from here, Kindly do well to keep them coming.