What position does the unborn baby occupy inside the womb at different periods of pregnancy? What to do if presentation is incorrectly diagnosed?

What position should a baby be in in the womb at different trimesters?

Throughout the entire period of maturation inside the womb, the unborn baby changes its position. After all, from literally a poppy seed, he becomes a full-fledged, albeit small, person. Its position changes as follows:

• The first 1.5 months - the embryo in the form of a fertilized egg moves to the uterus and is finally fixed there. Most often on the back wall, but can also be on the front, top, bottom, side. It freezes in one position for a while until the body is formed.
• At about 8 weeks, the embryo already vaguely resembles a little man, its size does not exceed 2 centimeters. During this period, it begins to actively migrate throughout the uterus, but the woman does not feel this.
• At week 9, the movements of the embryo are no less active; it is in the amniotic sac, like an astronaut in outer space, and moves around the entire perimeter.
• Week 10 is characterized by the fact that unborn child not only moves, but can also push off the walls of the uterus with its arms and legs.
• Week 11 also allows the embryo to actively move. He makes sudden movements with his arms and legs, swimming in the amniotic fluid.
• Until the 24th week, the baby's position changes as he moves. Then the activity of the embryo decreases slightly, because it grows and there is less space.
• From the 26th week, the baby takes a position that will remain until birth and will become decisive during labor. It is advisable that at this time the future baby takes a position with his head down and his back to his mother, but not everyone is able to strictly follow such a schedule. Some babies reach their final position only at 32 weeks.
• Week 36 - preparation for labor. It can begin at any time, or even earlier, and the position of the child is important for the normal course of labor.

If the presentation is incorrect, the expectant mother will be taken under the control of doctors, and a proposal may be made to make C-section.

Malpresentation of the fetus, types and causes

The position of the unborn child inside the womb is considered incorrect:

• Pelvic - butt or legs towards the exit.
• Oblique - almost correct, but with some angle of deviation.
• Transverse - across the abdomen.

The fetus rotates incorrectly inside the womb for the following reasons:

• This is not my first pregnancy.
• Weak uterine tone.
• Short umbilical cord.
• Incorrect placement of the child's seat.
• Little or too much amniotic fluid.
• Benign formations in the uterine cavity.
• Umbilical cord entanglement.
• Pathology of the development of the uterus or features of its structure.
• The presence of a scar after cesarean section or surgery.

Incorrect presentation is not always an indication for surgical removal of the child. Sometimes natural childbirth is possible in a pelvic or oblique position.

Diagnosis of fetal position

To correctly determine the position of the unborn baby, an ultrasound examination is performed. At the present stage, a three-dimensional image of the fetus is taken, especially if it is incorrectly positioned, in order to know what to prepare for during delivery. Even a normal presentation must be analyzed to eliminate all possible risks.

Can a pregnant woman independently determine how the baby is positioned?

You can determine what position the baby is in by carefully palpating the abdomen. On later You can already clearly feel the back, arms and legs. In addition, you should pay attention to the baby's kicks. Pay close attention to these signs:

• If the baby is turned with his head up, the shocks are felt more on top of the abdomen, and there is active movement below.
• When the baby is positioned transversely, the belly will be disproportionately wide. Pain may occur in the navel area.
• When positioned correctly, the legs in the upper abdomen can be clearly felt. Pressure occurs in the right hypochondrium in the liver area. The head can be clearly felt below.
• If the baby is very low, the urge to urinate will often occur and pressure will be felt in this area.

After 31 weeks of fetal ripening, it stops moving and prepares for birth, only sometimes it can move its limbs.

If the child’s incorrect position is diagnosed

First of all, don't panic. If incorrect presentation is determined from 31 weeks, there is still time until 36. Special gymnastics are prescribed that can help to the expectant mother turn the baby correctly, but even if it doesn’t work out, there is no reason to be upset. Modern methods surgical interventions are less traumatic and are aimed at helping the baby be born as safely as possible.
The wrong position of the baby is not a reason for great excitement. It is better to protect your health and your baby from the negative effects of stress. Experienced doctors will do everything possible to ensure that the child sees the world healthy.

Every mother is interested in knowing what her baby is doing in the womb. When it is still small and freely floating in the uterine cavity, its position can change constantly. Of course, everyone’s activity is different, some babies sleep more, while others are constantly spinning. But towards the end of the term it becomes more and more difficult for him to turn over, and as a result he must be placed head down. It is this position that ensures physiologically correct childbirth, the easiest and simplest. Today we want to talk about how to independently determine in the stomach.

What methods does an obstetrician have?

Of course, the doctor can determine the location of the baby much more accurately. The easiest way to do this is based on ultrasound results. At any stage, the specialist performing the ultrasound will immediately see the baby’s posture. However, it is recommended to carry out this examination no more than three times during pregnancy, except in emergency situations.

When talking about how to independently determine the position of the baby in the abdomen, many women refer to the experience of gynecologists who palpate the abdomen for more than 28 weeks. But we must emphasize that the doctor knows exactly what he is trying to determine. Usually, after such an examination, the doctor can approximately say:

• A child lies along or across.
• What is located below, near the fundus of the uterus, the head or legs.

Finally, the last method of determining presentation is used when the cervix is ​​slightly opened. This may be the first stage of labor or the threat of termination of pregnancy for more than 22 weeks. In this case, the doctor can use his fingers to feel the parts of the fetal body that are closest to the exit from the uterus.

At what point does the issue of presentation become relevant?

Since it is not so easy to independently determine the position of the baby in the stomach, you should not pay special attention to this until 32 weeks. At this time, his position in the uterus is unstable, the baby turns and turns over. After the 32nd week, it takes a static position, in which it will pass through the birth canal. Now, until the birth, he will only move his arms and legs, as well as unbend and turn his head to the sides. Obeying the force of gravity, he turns head down. The back is turned to the left and looks outward, towards the front wall of the abdomen. The face is on the contrary, turned to the right and inward.

Preparing for independent research

And we move on to the most interesting thing: how to independently determine the position of the baby in the stomach. First of all, a woman should remember the moment when the child is most active. At this time, you should sit comfortably on the sofa and listen to your feelings. Usually the child will be unhappy that the mother is not moving and will begin to move with particular zeal. If, on the contrary, he is quiet, then you can provoke his activity by lightly patting his stomach with your palm.

Let's start observing

So how can you determine the position of the baby in the stomach yourself? Listen to your feelings. If the baby is positioned head up, which is typical for early date, then the tremors will be felt below. This often frightens young mothers a little: they believe that the baby is located very low and there is a threat of miscarriage. There's really nothing like it. But since it is quite difficult to independently determine the position of the baby in the stomach at 28 weeks of pregnancy, due to its frequent changes, it is better to consult a doctor. He will clear your doubts.

Atypical fetal position

Time passes, the 31st week has arrived, which means that very soon the baby should decide on his permanent location. Most often it is vertical, then the mother does not experience discomfort. Therefore, when talking about how to independently determine the position of the baby in the stomach at 31 weeks, you need to note the shape of the protruding “belly”.

If it has become unusually wide, then perhaps the baby has rolled over across the mother's belly. In this case, severe pain is often observed. Sharp, painful sensations arise due to the movement of the legs, and strong pressure due to the extension of the head. Even just stretching, the child puts a lot of pressure on internal organs. At the same time, his knees or feet can be easily felt.

Special exercises

At this stage, the baby should already have decided on his position, but he may still be able to roll over, since his size still allows this to happen. How can I get him to do this?

The answer is obvious: you need to shift the center of gravity, that is, turn the mother over. You don’t need to stand on your head for this; just place a thick mattress at an angle (for example, on the edge of a sofa) and lie on it with your head down so that your hips are higher than your head. It is recommended to lie like this several times a day for 20-30 minutes. At the same time, it is advised to talk to the child and stroke the belly clockwise.

Normal presentation

It is also difficult to confuse it with something else. Therefore, when talking about how to independently determine the position of the baby in the stomach at 35 weeks, we again suggest listening to your feelings. If you feel strong pressure in the lower abdomen, a frequent urge to urinate and defecate, then most likely the baby is lying correctly and the head is pressing on the intestines and bladder. At the same time, the liver experiences constant blows from its legs. In this case, there is no need to worry, the child is lying correctly.

We help you turn over

If the period is already long (34 weeks or more), and the baby has still not taken a normal position, then it is too late to simply lie upside down. Now it is recommended to take positions that are uncomfortable for your baby as often as possible. Go to sleep on your side or stomach.

The uterus and waters protect the baby well, and natural discomfort will force him to move. Speaking about how to independently determine the position of the baby in the stomach at 37 weeks, you should remember the fact that by this time you will undergo a mandatory ultrasound, which will show whether your efforts were effective. If the child is still in the wrong position, it can be recommended to rock the pelvis. To do this, actively rock your pelvis for 10 minutes. This should be done 2-3 times a day. At the same time, be sure to stroke the belly and gently push the child clockwise.

Do not forget that all recommendations should be given by your attending physician. You can feel your belly yourself, play with your baby and perform special exercises as directed, but do not try to diagnose yourself, much less take any measures to change the situation. In your position, the supervision of an experienced doctor is much more important than your curiosity.

However, communication between a baby and his mother is very useful, so spend as much time as possible playing games, this way you will establish a good connection with your baby even before he is born.

Pregnancy is a physiological process in which a new organism develops in the uterus, resulting from fertilization. Pregnancy lasts on average 40 weeks (10 obstetric months).

In the intrauterine development of a child, two periods are distinguished:

1. Embryonic(up to 8 weeks of pregnancy inclusive). At this time, the embryo is called an embryo and acquires characteristic human features;
2. Fetal(from 9 weeks until birth). At this time, the embryo is called a fetus.

The growth of a child, the formation of its organs and systems occurs naturally during various periods of intrauterine development, which is subject to the genetic code embedded in the germ cells and fixed in the process of human evolution.

Embryo development in the first obstetric month (1-4 weeks)

First week (days 1-7)

Pregnancy begins from the moment fertilization- mature fusion male cage(sperm) and female egg. This process usually occurs in the ampullary section of the fallopian tube. After a few hours, the fertilized egg begins to divide exponentially and descends through the fallopian tube into the uterine cavity (this journey takes up to five days).

As a result of division turns out to be a multicellular organism, which is similar to a blackberry (in Latin “morus”), which is why the embryo at this stage is called Morula. Approximately on the 7th day, the morula penetrates the uterine wall (implantation). The villi of the outer cells of the embryo connect with the blood vessels of the uterus, and subsequently the placenta is formed from them. Other outer morula cells give rise to the development of the umbilical cord and membranes. Over time, various tissues and organs of the fetus will develop from the internal cells.

Information At the time of implantation, a woman may have slight bleeding from the genital tract. Such discharge is physiological and does not require treatment.

Second week (8-14 days)

The outer morula cells grow tightly into the lining of the uterus. In the embryo the formation of the umbilical cord and placenta begins, and neural tube, from which the fetal nervous system subsequently develops.

Third week (15-21 days)

The third week of pregnancy is a difficult and important period. At that time important organs and systems begin to form fetus: the rudiments of the respiratory, digestive, circulatory, nervous and excretory systems appear. At the site where the fetal head will soon appear, a wide plate is formed, which will give rise to the brain. On day 21, the baby's heart begins to beat.

Fourth week (22-28 days)

this week laying of fetal organs continues. The rudiments of the intestines, liver, kidneys and lungs are already present. The heart begins to work more intensely and pumps more and more blood through the circulatory system.

From the beginning of the fourth week in the embryo body folds appear, and appears vertebral primordium(chord).

Completed by day 25 neural tube formation.

By the end of the week (approximately 27-28 days) the muscular system and spine are formed, which divides the embryo into two symmetrical halves, both upper and lower limbs.

During this period it begins formation of pits on the head, which will later become the eyes of the fetus.

Development of the embryo in the second obstetric month (5-8 weeks)

Fifth week (29-35 days)

During this period the embryo weighs about 0.4 grams, length 1.5-2.5 mm.

The formation of the following organs and systems begins:

1. Digestive system: liver and pancreas;
2. Respiratory system: larynx, trachea, lungs;
3. Circulatory system;
4. Reproductive system: precursors of germ cells are formed;
5. Sense organs: eye and inner ear formation continues;
6. Nervous system: the formation of parts of the brain begins.

At that time a faint umbilical cord appears. The formation of limbs continues, the first rudiments of nails appear.

On the face formed upper lip and nasal cavities.

Sixth week (36-42 days)

Length embryo during this period is about 4-5 mm.

Starts in the sixth week formation of the placenta. At this stage, it is just beginning to function; blood circulation between it and the embryo has not yet been formed.

Ongoing formation brain and its departments. At the sixth week, when performing an encephalogram, it is already possible to record signals from the fetal brain.

Begins formation of facial muscles. The fetal eyes are already more pronounced and uncovered by eyelids that are just beginning to form.

During this period they begin upper limbs change: they lengthen and the rudiments of hands and fingers appear. The lower limbs still remain in their infancy.

Changes in important organs occur:

1. Heart. The division into chambers is completed: ventricles and atria;
2. Urinary system. Primary kidneys have formed, the development of the ureters begins;
3. Digestive system. The formation of sections of the gastrointestinal tract begins: the stomach, small and large intestines. The liver and pancreas had practically completed their development by this period;

Seventh week (43-49 days)

The seventh week is significant in that it is finally The formation of the umbilical cord is completed and uteroplacental circulation is established. Now the breathing and nutrition of the fetus will be carried out due to blood circulation through the vessels of the umbilical cord and placenta.

The embryo is still bent in an arched manner; there is a small tail on the pelvic part of the body. The size of the head is at least half of the embryo. The length from the crown to the sacrum increases by the end of the week up to 13-15 mm.

Ongoing upper limb development. The fingers are visible quite clearly, but their separation from each other has not yet occurred. The child begins to perform spontaneous movements with his hands in response to stimuli.

Fine eyes are formed, already covered with eyelids, which protect them from drying out. The child can open his mouth.

The formation of the nasal fold and nose occurs, two paired elevations are formed on the sides of the head, from which they will begin to develop ears.

Intensive continues development of the brain and its parts.

Eighth week (50-56 days)

The body of the embryo begins to straighten, length from the crown to the coccyx is 15 mm at the beginning of the week and 20-21 mm on day 56.

Ongoing formation of important organs and systems: digestive system, heart, lungs, brain, urinary system, reproductive system (boys develop testicles). The hearing organs are developing.

By the end of the eighth week the child's face becomes familiar to the person: the eyes are well defined, covered with eyelids, the nose, the ears, the formation of the lips is ending.

Intensive growth of the head, upper and lower horses is noted In particular, ossification of the long bones of the arms and legs and the skull develops. The fingers are clearly visible; there is no longer a skin membrane between them.

Additionally At eight weeks the embryonic period of development ends and the fetal period begins. From this time on, the embryo is called a fetus.

Fetal development in the third obstetric month (9-12 weeks)

Ninth week (57-63 days)

At the beginning of the ninth week coccygeal-parietal size fetus is about 22 mm, by the end of the week - 31 mm.

Happening improvement of blood vessels of the placenta, which improves uteroplacental blood flow.

The development of the musculoskeletal system continues. The process of ossification begins, the joints of the toes and hands are formed. The fetus begins to make active movements and can clench its fingers. The head is lowered, the chin is pressed tightly to the chest.

Changes occur in the cardiovascular system. The heart beats up to 150 times per minute and pumps blood through its blood vessels. The composition of blood is still very different from the blood of an adult: it consists only of red blood cells.

Ongoing further growth and brain development cerebellar structures are formed.

The organs of the endocrine system are intensively developing, in particular, the adrenal glands, which produce important hormones.

Improves cartilage tissue: auricles, laryngeal cartilages, vocal cords are being formed.

Tenth week (64-70 days)

By the end of the tenth week fruit length from the coccyx to the crown is 35-40 mm.

Buttocks begin to develop, the previously existing tail disappears. The fetus is in the uterus in a fairly free position in a semi-bent state.

Nervous system development continues. Now the fetus performs not only chaotic movements, but also reflex ones in response to a stimulus. When accidentally touching the walls of the uterus, the child makes movements in response: turns his head, bends or straightens his arms and legs, and pushes to the side. The size of the fetus is still very small, and the woman cannot yet feel these movements.

The sucking reflex is formed, the child begins reflex movements with his lips.

The development of the diaphragm is completed, which will take Active participation in the breath.

Eleventh week (71-77 days)

By the end of this week coccygeal-parietal size the fetus increases to 4-5 cm.

The fetal body remains disproportionate: small body, big sizes heads, Long hands and short legs, bent at all joints and pressed to the stomach.

The placenta has already reached sufficient development and copes with its functions: ensures the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and removes carbon dioxide and metabolic products.

Further formation of the fetal eyes occurs: At this time, the iris develops, which will later determine the color of the eyes. The eyes are well developed, half-closed or wide open.

Twelfth week (78-84 days)

Coccygeal-parietal size fetus is 50-60 mm.

Goes clearly development of the genital organs according to the female or male type.

Happening further improvement digestive system. The intestines are elongated and arranged in loops, like those of an adult. Its periodic contractions begin - peristalsis. The fetus begins to make swallowing movements, swallowing amniotic fluid.

The development and improvement of the fetal nervous system continues. The brain is small in size, but exactly replicates all the structures of the adult brain. The cerebral hemispheres and other sections are well developed. Reflex movements are improved: the fetus can clench and unclench its fingers into a fist, grabs thumb and actively sucks it.

In fetal blood Not only red blood cells are already present, but the production of white blood cells - leukocytes - also begins.

At this time the child single respiratory movements begin to be recorded. Before birth, the fetus cannot breathe, its lungs do not function, but it makes rhythmic movements of the chest, imitating breathing.

By the end of the week the fetus eyebrows and eyelashes appear, the neck is clearly visible.

Fetal development in the fourth obstetric month (13-16 weeks)

Week 13 (85-91 days)

Coccygeal-parietal size by the end of the week is 70-75 mm. The proportions of the body begin to change: the upper and lower limbs and torso lengthen, the size of the head is no longer so large in relation to the body.

Improvement of the digestive and nervous systems continues. The embryos of baby teeth begin to appear under the upper and lower jaws.

The face is fully formed, the ears, nose and eyes are clearly visible (the eyelids are completely closed).

Week 14 (92-98 days)

Coccygeal-parietal size by the end of the fourteenth week it increases up to 8-9 cm. Body proportions continue to change to more familiar ones. The face has a well-defined forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. The first hair appears on the head (very thin and colorless). The surface of the body is covered with vellus hairs, which retain skin lubrication and thereby perform protective functions.

The musculoskeletal system of the fetus is improved. Bones become stronger. Motor activity increases: the fetus can turn over, bend, and make swimming movements.

Kidney development completes Bladder and ureters. The kidneys begin to secrete urine, which mixes with the amniotic fluid.

: pancreatic cells begin to work, producing insulin, and pituitary cells.

Changes in the genital organs appear. In boys, the prostate gland forms; in girls, the ovaries migrate into the pelvic cavity. At the fourteenth week, with a good sensitive ultrasound machine, it is already possible to determine the sex of the child.

Fifteenth week (99-105 days)

Coccygeal-parietal size of the fetus is about 10 cm, fruit weight – 70-75 grams. The head still remains quite large, but the growth of the arms, legs and torso begins to outstrip it.

The circulatory system is improved. In the fourth month, a child’s blood type and Rh factor can already be determined. Blood vessels (veins, arteries, capillaries) grow in length and their walls become stronger.

The production of original feces (meconium) begins. This is due to the ingestion of amniotic fluid, which enters the stomach, then into the intestines and fills it.

Fully formed fingers and toes, an individual design appears on them.

Sixteenth week (106-112 days)

The weight of the fetus increases to 100 grams, the coccygeal-parietal size - up to 12 cm.

By the end of the sixteenth week, the fetus is already fully formed, he has all the organs and systems. The kidneys are actively working, a small amount of urine is released into the amniotic fluid every hour.

The skin of the fetus is very thin, subcutaneous fatty tissue is practically absent, so blood vessels are visible through the skin. The skin appears bright red, covered with vellus hairs and grease. Eyebrows and eyelashes are well defined. Nails are formed, but they only cover the edge of the nail phalanx.

Facial muscles are formed, and the fetus begins to “grimace”: frowning of the eyebrows and a semblance of a smile are observed.

Fetal development in the fifth obstetric month (17-20 weeks)

Seventeenth week (days 113-119)

The weight of the fetus is 120-150 grams, the coccygeal-parietal size is 14-15 cm.

The skin remains very thin, but subcutaneous fatty tissue begins to develop under it. The development of baby teeth continues, which are covered with dentin. The embryos of permanent teeth begin to form under them.

There is a reaction to sound stimuli. From this week we can say for sure that the child began to hear. When strong sharp sounds the fetus begins to actively move.

Fetal position changes. The head is raised and is in an almost vertical position. The arms are bent at the elbow joints, the fingers are clenched into a fist almost all the time. Periodically, the child begins to suck his thumb.

The heartbeat becomes clear. From now on, the doctor can listen to him using a stethoscope.

Eighteenth week (120-126 days)

The child's weight is about 200 grams, length - up to 20 cm.

The formation of sleep and wakefulness begins. Most of the time the fetus sleeps, movements stop during this time.

At this time, the woman may already begin to feel the baby moving, especially with repeated pregnancies. The first movements are felt as gentle jolts. A woman may feel more active movements when she is nervous or stressed, which affects the emotional state of the child. At this stage, the norm is about ten episodes of fetal movement per day.

Nineteenth week (127-133 days)

The child’s weight increases to 250-300 grams, body length – to 22-23 cm. The proportions of the body change: the head lags behind the body in growth, the arms and legs begin to lengthen.

Movements become more frequent and noticeable. They can be felt not only by the woman herself, but also by other people by placing their hand on their stomach. Primigravidas at this time can only begin to feel movements.

The endocrine system is improved: the pancreas, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, gonads, thyroid and parathyroid glands are actively functioning.

Blood composition has changed: In addition to erythrocytes and leukocytes, the blood contains monocytes and lymphocytes. The spleen begins to take part in hematopoiesis.

Twentieth week (134-140 days)

Body length increases to 23-25 ​​cm, weight – up to 340 grams.

The fetal skin is still thin, covered with protective lubricant and vellus hairs, which can persist until childbirth. Subcutaneous fatty tissue develops intensively.

Well formed eyes, at twenty weeks the blink reflex begins to appear.

Improved movement coordination: The child confidently brings his finger to his mouth and begins to suck it. Facial expressions are pronounced: the fetus may close its eyes, smile, or frown.

This week all women are already feeling movements., regardless of the number of pregnancies. Movement activity varies throughout the day. When stimuli appear (loud sounds, stuffy rooms), the child begins to move very violently and actively.

Fetal development in the sixth obstetric month (21-24 weeks)

Twenty-first week (days 141-147)

Body weight grows to 380 grams, fetal length – up to 27 cm.

The layer of subcutaneous tissue increases. The skin of the fetus is wrinkled, with many folds.

Fetal movements become more active and tangible. The fetus moves freely in the uterine cavity: it lies head down or buttocks, across the uterus. Can pull on the umbilical cord, push off the walls of the uterus with hands and feet.

Changes in sleep and wakefulness patterns. Now the fetus spends less time sleeping (16-20 hours).

Twenty-second week (148-154 days)

At week 22, the size of the fetus increases to 28 cm, weight - up to 450-500 grams. The size of the head becomes proportional to the body and limbs. The legs are bent almost all the time.

The fetal spine is fully formed: It has all the vertebrae, ligaments and joints. The process of strengthening bones continues.

Improves the fetal nervous system: The brain already contains all the nerve cells (neurons) and has a mass of about 100 grams. The child begins to take an interest in his body: he feels his face, arms, legs, tilts his head, brings his fingers to his mouth.

Heart size increases significantly, functionality is being improved of cardio-vascular system.

Twenty-third week (155-161 days)

The length of the fetal body is 28-30 cm, weight is about 500 grams. Pigment begins to be synthesized in the skin, resulting in the skin becoming bright red. The subcutaneous fatty tissue is still quite thin, as a result the child looks very thin and wrinkled. The lubricant covers the entire skin and is more abundant in the folds of the body (elbow, axillary, inguinal, etc. folds).

Development of internal genital organs continues: in boys - the scrotum, in girls - the ovaries.

Respiratory frequency increases up to 50-60 times per minute.

The swallowing reflex is still well developed: the child constantly swallows amniotic fluid with particles of protective skin lubricant. The liquid part of the amniotic fluid is absorbed into the blood, leaving a thick green-black substance (meconium) in the intestines. Normally, the bowel should not have a bowel movement until the baby is born. Sometimes swallowing water causes hiccups in the fetus; a woman can feel it in the form of rhythmic movements for several minutes.

Twenty-fourth week (162-168 days)

By the end of this week, the weight of the fetus increases to 600 grams, body length to 30-32 cm.

The movements are becoming stronger and clearer. The fetus takes up almost all the space in the uterus, but can still change position and turn over. Muscles grow rapidly.

By the end of the sixth month, the child has well-developed sense organs. Vision begins to function. If a bright light hits a woman’s belly, the fetus begins to turn away and closes her eyelids tightly. Hearing is well developed. The fetus determines pleasant and unpleasant sounds for itself and reacts to them differently. When hearing pleasant sounds, the child behaves calmly, his movements become calm and measured. When unpleasant sounds occur, it begins to freeze or, conversely, moves very actively.

Between mother and child is established emotional connection . If a woman experiences negative emotions (fear, anxiety, melancholy), the child begins to experience similar feelings.

Fetal development in the seventh obstetric month (25-28 weeks)

Twenty-fifth week (169-175 days)

The length of the fetus is 30-34 cm, body weight increases to 650-700 grams. The skin becomes elastic, the number and severity of folds decreases due to the accumulation of subcutaneous fatty tissue. The skin remains thin with a large number of capillaries, giving it a red color.

The face has a familiar appearance to a person: eyes, eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, cheeks, ears are well defined. The cartilage of the ears remains thin and soft, their bends and curls are not fully formed.

Bone marrow develops intensively, which takes on the main role in hematopoiesis. The strengthening of the fetal bones continues.

Important processes occur in lung maturation: small elements of lung tissue (alveoli) are formed. Before the baby is born, they are without air and resemble deflated balloons, which straighten out only after the first cry of the newborn. From week 25, the alveoli begin to produce a special substance (surfactant) necessary to maintain their shape.

Twenty-sixth week (176-182 days)

The length of the fruit is about 35 cm, the weight increases to 750-760 grams. The growth of muscle tissue and subcutaneous fat continues. Bones are strengthened and permanent teeth continue to develop.

The formation of the genital organs continues. In boys, the testicles begin to descend into the scrotum (the process lasts 3-4 weeks). In girls, the formation of the external genitalia and vagina is completed.

Improved sense organs. The child develops a sense of smell (smell).

Twenty-seventh week (183-189 days)

Weight increases to 850 grams, body length - up to 37 cm.

The organs of the endocrine system are actively functioning, in particular the pancreas, pituitary gland and thyroid gland.

The fruit is quite active, makes freely various movements inside the uterus.

From the twenty-seventh week in the child individual metabolism begins to form.

Twenty-eighth week (190-196 days)

The child’s weight increases to 950 grams, body length – 38 cm.

By this age the fetus becomes practically viable. In the absence of organ pathology, the child good care and treatment can survive.

Subcutaneous fat continues to accumulate. The skin is still red in color, the vellus hair begins to gradually fall out, remaining only on the back and shoulders. Eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair on the head become darker. The child begins to open his eyes frequently. The cartilage of the nose and ears remains soft. The nails do not yet reach the edge of the nail phalanx.

This week starts more one of the cerebral hemispheres is actively functioning. If the right hemisphere becomes active, then the child becomes left-handed; if the left hemisphere becomes active, then right-handedness develops.

Fetal development in the eighth month (29-32 weeks)

Twenty-ninth week (197-203 days)

The weight of the fetus is about 1200 grams, the height increases to 39 cm.

The baby has already grown enough and takes up almost all the space in the uterus. Movements become less chaotic. The movements manifest themselves in the form of periodic kicks with the legs and arms. The fetus begins to take a definite position in the uterus: head or buttocks down.

All organ systems continue to improve. The kidneys already secrete up to 500 ml of urine per day. The load on the cardiovascular system increases. The blood circulation of the fetus is still significantly different from the blood circulation of the newborn.

Thirtieth week (204-210 days)

Body weight increases to 1300-1350 grams, height remains approximately the same - about 38-39 cm.

Subcutaneous fat tissue constantly accumulates, skin folds straighten out. The child adapts to the lack of space and takes a certain position: curls up, arms and legs crossed. The skin still has a bright color, the amount of grease and vellus hair decreases.

Alveolar development and surfactant production continues. The lungs prepare for the birth of the baby and the start of breathing.

Brain development continues brain, the number of convolutions and the area of ​​the cortex increases.

Thirty-first week (211-217 days)

The child's weight is about 1500-1700 grams, height increases to 40 cm.

Your child's sleep and wake patterns change. Sleep still takes a long time, during which time there is no motor activity of the fetus. While awake, the child actively moves and pushes.

Fully formed eyes. During sleep, the child closes his eyes, while awake, the eyes are open, and the child blinks periodically. All children have the same iris color ( blue color), then after birth it begins to change. The fetus reacts to bright light by constricting or dilating the pupil.

Brain size increases. Now its volume is about 25% of the volume of the adult brain.

Thirty-second week (218-224 days)

The child's height is about 42 cm, weight - 1700-1800 grams.

Accumulation of subcutaneous fat continues, due to which the skin becomes lighter, there are practically no folds left on it.

Internal organs are improved: organs of the endocrine system intensively secrete hormones, surfactant accumulates in the lungs.

The fetus produces a special hormone, which promotes the formation of estrogen in the mother’s body, as a result, the mammary glands begin to prepare for milk production.

Fetal development in the ninth month (33-36 weeks)

Thirty-third week (225-231 days)

The weight of the fetus increases to 1900-2000 grams, the height is about 43-44 cm.

Skin becomes increasingly lighter and smoother, the layer of fatty tissue increases. The vellus hair is increasingly wiped off, and the layer of protective lubricant, on the contrary, increases. Nails grow to the edge of the nail phalanx.

The baby becomes more and more cramped in the uterine cavity, so his movements become more rare, but strong. The position of the fetus is fixed (head or buttocks down), the likelihood that the child will turn over after this period is extremely small.

The functioning of internal organs is becoming more and more improved: the mass of the heart increases, the formation of the alveoli is almost complete, the tone of the blood vessels increases, the brain is fully formed.

Thirty-fourth week (232-238 days)

The child's weight ranges from 2000 to 2500 grams, height is about 44-45 cm.

The baby now occupies a stable position in the uterus. The bones of the skull are soft and mobile thanks to the fontanelles, which can close only a few months after birth.

Head hair grows rapidly and take on a certain color. However, hair color may change after childbirth.

Intensive strengthening of bones is noted, in connection with this, the fetus begins to take calcium from the mother’s body (the woman may notice the appearance of seizures at this time).

The baby constantly swallows amniotic fluid, thereby stimulating the gastrointestinal tract and the functioning of the kidneys, which produce at least 600 ml of clear urine per day.

Thirty-fifth week (239-245 days)

Every day the child gains 25-35 grams. Weight during this period can vary greatly and by the end of the week it is 2200-2700 grams. Height increases to 46 cm.

All internal organs of the child continue to improve, preparing the body for the upcoming extrauterine existence.

Fatty tissue is intensively deposited, the child becomes more well-fed. The amount of vellus hair is greatly reduced. The nails have already reached the tips of the nail phalanges.

A sufficient amount of meconium has already accumulated in the fetal intestines, which normally should go away 6-7 hours after birth.

Thirty-sixth week (246-252 days)

The weight of a child varies greatly and can range from 2000 to 3000 grams, height - within 46-48 cm

The fetus already has well-developed subcutaneous fatty tissue, skin color becomes lighter, wrinkles and folds disappear completely.

The baby occupies a certain position in the uterus: more often he lies upside down (less often, with his legs or buttocks, in some cases, transversely), his head is bent, his chin is pressed to his chest, his arms and legs are pressed to his body.

Skull bones, unlike other bones, remain soft, with cracks (fontanelles), which will allow the baby's head to be more pliable when passing through the birth canal.

All organs and systems are fully developed for the existence of a child outside the womb.

Fetal development in the tenth obstetric month

Thirty-seventh week (254-259 days)

The child's height increases to 48-49 cm, weight can fluctuate significantly. The skin has become lighter and thicker, the fat layer increases every day by 14-15 grams per day.

Cartilages of the nose and ears become denser and more elastic.

Fully lungs are formed and mature, the alveoli contain the necessary amount of surfactant for the newborn to breathe.

The digestive system has matured: Contractions occur in the stomach and intestines to push food through (peristalsis).

Thirty-eighth week (260-266 days)

A child's weight and height vary greatly.

The fetus is fully mature and ready to be born. Externally, the child looks like a full-term newborn. The skin is light, the fatty tissue is sufficiently developed, and vellus hair is practically absent.

Thirty-ninth week (267-273 days)

Typically two weeks before birth the fruit begins to descend, pressing against the pelvic bones. The child has already reached full maturity. The placenta begins to gradually age and its metabolic processes deteriorate.

The weight of the fetus increases significantly (30-35 grams per day). The proportions of the body change completely: the chest and shoulder girdle are well developed, the belly is round, and the limbs are long.

Well developed sense organs: the child catches all sounds, sees bright colors, can focus his vision, and taste buds are developed.

Fortieth week (274-280 days)

All indicators of fetal development correspond to new to the awaited one. The baby is completely ready for birth. The weight can vary significantly: from 250 to 4000 and above grams.

The uterus begins to periodically contract(), which is manifested by aching pain in the lower abdomen. The cervix opens slightly, and the fetal head is pressed closer to the pelvic cavity.

The skull bones are still soft and pliable, which allows the baby’s head to change shape and pass the birth canal more easily.

Fetal development by week of pregnancy - Video

In no case do I encourage you to do without the supervision of a qualified specialist during pregnancy. But sometimes this simply isn't the case.

I live in a small town, in our residential complex there are only four G. Moreover, over the long practice of pregnant women, I was convinced that they are real, 100% G. I don’t know, maybe they lack knowledge, qualifications... But most likely they lack philanthropy, conscience and desire to do their job, to serve people.

Hoping, believing and trusting such doctors is much worse than relying on your intuition.

They not only do not direct us to the third ultrasound, and even more so to the prenatal ultrasound, but in fact prohibit it, arguing with the words “You have nothing to do?”, “Deal with your sores first,” etc. and so on.

A good friend of mine carried her first-born very responsibly. She really wanted, like everyone else, for everything to be perfect. This was the case in the card, because the doctor also regularly accepted gifts. The exciting and long-awaited day of birth has arrived. The couple was preparing for a partnership. And suddenly, in the prenatal room, it turns out that the baby is in a breech position and due to a number of circumstances, ER is impossible.

Thank God everything ended well. But the doctor did not even warn the woman about the problems associated with presentation. She didn’t say a word about a possible CS.

If you want to understand the position of the baby in the tummy. You may find this article useful.

Tummy mapping helps parents independently determine the position of their baby - during the last month or last two months of pregnancy

So. Belly Mapping, or tummy mapping, consists of three steps necessary to determine the position of the child (or as they say in medicine, “the position of the fetus”) in the last months of pregnancy.

Parents can use Belly Mapping simply for their own enjoyment. Midwives and doulas will find this knowledge useful in situations of posterior breech presentation.

Most women in the ninth month of pregnancy can ultrasound examination determine where their child’s face is directed in cephalic presentation: to the right, left, forward or backward. Some, however, find it difficult to map their tummy without outside help.

Strong tone, polyhydramnios, a placenta on the anterior wall of the uterus, or a plump tummy can muffle the kicks and thrusts by which parts of the baby’s body are determined.

Mothers often know more about their child's situation than they think. If the woman has not yet studied the baby's habits, advise her to observe them for a day or two. She will notice more movement of the baby into a reclining position, breathing slowly and deeply.

Step 1: Draw the pie. Draw a diagram of the abdomen in the form of a circle divided into 4 parts

How to correctly determine the position of the fetus?

Draw a circle and divide it into four parts - like dividing a pie into four large pieces. Think of it as a map of your tummy. At the top is the fundus of the uterus (at the end of pregnancy, at 7 or 8 months). Below is the pubic bone. Your right side is on the left side of the card, and your left side is on the right side. It's like looking in a mirror.

Make marks on the paper where you feel the kicks - strong and weak. Show where the big bulge sometimes appears. If you can, draw a heart where the doctor, nurse, or midwife listened to your baby's heartbeat. If one side of your tummy is significantly firmer than the other when you lie on your back, then draw a line on that side.

If you mentally divide the uterus into four parts, it will be easier to determine the position of the baby's body parts.

Each of the four sectors gives clues!

The woman draws where she feels the bulge and hard side of the uterus.

Using words or pictures, the mother or doula notes what is felt in each sector:

The strongest tremors;

Weaker tremors or movements;

Solid back;

Large bulge, usually at the top - in the middle or on the side;

If you know where the baby's head is, draw a circle there and

If you remember where the heartbeat was heard during the last examination, draw a heart there.

If you're not sure about something, don't draw. Mark only what you are absolutely sure of.

Step 2: visualize the baby’s position

incorrect and correct position of the fetus

drawing: from the book The Belly Mapping Workbook by Gail Tully

Take rag doll or a teddy bear.

Place the toy's legs in the same position as the baby's legs on the "map", and so on. The legs and arms of the toy should bend.

To make drawing a map easier, remember the three pairs of opposites in the child’s body:

Head and butt

Tummy and back

Legs and arms

These opposites are on different sides of our pie.

The butt is always opposite to the head; it is at the top if the head is at the bottom. Also, if the head is down, the baby's legs are at the top, and the arms can be felt in the lower half (the legs push more powerfully than the arms). In addition, the legs and arms are on the opposite side of the backrest. The baby's knees are bent, but when the legs are extended, the feet may stick out. The baby's body can take on a triangular shape when the legs are extended. The bulge where the feet stick out appears rounded. But rest assured, the child only has one head!

The expectant mother sometimes feels parts of the baby's body as large and small bulges.

The more you practice, the easier it is to determine the baby's position!

How to determine the position of the fetus yourself?

drawing: from the book The Belly Mapping Workbook by Gail Tully

If the baby is in a cephalic presentation, then the mother holds the doll upside down, and the doll's head is located at the mother's pubic bone.

The woman turns the doll so that her legs are in the same sector of her abdomen where she feels the strongest tremors. The child’s feet are located on the side of the tummy, so the doll’s back needs to be turned in the opposite direction.

If your baby's butt sticks out in a large bulge (often in the upper abdomen), place the doll's butt in the same area.

This bump can be a little confusing: are both bumps legs, or is one of them a head? If the child is positioned upside down, then this cannot happen. If the baby is in a breech position, then legs cannot grow from the head (but from the hips they can).

The child's knees bend, and because of this, the kicks often change their place. In the posterior view, the knees may be closest to the surface of the abdomen, sometimes felt near the mother's navel.

Opposite the kicking legs there is a hard place - the baby's back. This is the sector where the heartbeat is best heard when visiting a doctor.

If the baby is in a full posterior breech position, no part of the abdomen will feel particularly firm or full. The knees, feet and arms may move on either side of the mother's abdomen. If the arms are felt in the front, just above the pubic bone, this means that the baby is facing forward.

Handles often feel like faint movements or champagne bubbles - if they are felt at all. For a baby in a cephalic presentation, such movements between the pubic bone and the navel (not pushing into the pubic bone!) definitely belong to the arms. But with breech presentation, movements in the lower abdomen can be “stomping” legs. Other sensations in this area may be the result of a full bladder, the baby's forehead "rubbing" facing forward, the movement of the pubic bone, or, if the sensation is in the depths, the ripening of the cervix.

Now imagine how the baby’s legs and arms move. They will always be located on the side of the tummy and often near the mouth. If the arms are felt in the front, the child is in the posterior form of the occipital presentation - i.e. facing forward.

Step 3: Position Name

how to determine the position of the fetus?

drawing: from the book The Belly Mapping Workbook by Gail Tully

Using the same names for baby positions gives us the opportunity to learn and discuss childbirth together. Three questions asked in this order determine the name of the position in which the baby is:

1. To which side of the mother is the baby’s back turned?

2. Which part of the baby’s body enters the pelvis first?

3. To which side of the mother’s body, back or front, is this part of the baby’s body turned?

It is in this order that the one-word answer tells us:

1. Mother's side

2. Part of the baby's body

3. Front or back side of mother's body

The first answer could, for example, be: “left” or “right” (Left or Right, L or R)

A baby in the LOA position - in the left anterior view of the occipital presentation - is in one of the ideal starting positions.

Then the second question: which part of the baby’s body enters the pelvis first?

The second answer tells us which part of the baby’s body, which is important during the birth process, comes out first. The most common answer is the back of the head (“O” - from the Latin occiput). The occipital bone is located at the back of the skull. Another landmark is the sacrum (lat. sacrum), bones triangular shape at the base of the spine. The letter "S" is used to indicate breech presentation (bottom down), even if the legs go in front of the sacrum. The letter "M" (from the Latin mentum - "chin") denotes a front presentation, and "Fr" (Latin frontum - "forehead") - a frontal presentation, they are rare and quite risky.

Third question: which side of the mother's body is this part facing?

The third and last letter speaks of the front, back of the mother's body or her thigh. The appropriate expressions are used:

Anterior view (“A” - anterior), if this is the front side of the mother’s body

Posterior view (“P” - posterior), if this is the back side of the mother’s body

Or lateral position (“T” - transverse), if it is the mother’s side or thigh. If the answers to the first and third questions are the same, then only the third is used.

how to determine the position of the fetus?

Rose of fetal positions, transverse position shown lower right.

Figure: from Gail Tully's The Belly Mapping Workbook

How to independently determine the position of the fetus? Left lateral occipital presentation (Left Occiput Transverse)

Left lateral occipital presentation (LOT) is one of the best starting positions for labor.

Explanation: baby in left lateral occipital presentation

1.) located with the back to the left side of the mother,

2.) upside down, and

3.) facing the mother's thigh, and the kicks of the legs are felt in the upper right part of the mother's abdomen.

We call this position LOT.

(When we say “transverse fetal position,” the baby is positioned across the uterus.) When the backrest is pointing straight forward, we will say OA (Occiput Anterior) instead of AOA, don't you agree?

The legs can move in an arc in their sector of the circle. The butt can also move a little. The position of the baby affects the course of the birth process.

Anterior view: three initial positions in labor

how to determine the position of the fetus?

Three anterior breech positions, LOT (Left Occiput Transverse), LOA (Left Occiput Anterior) and OA (Occiput Anterior) are ideal for the onset of labor.

Both LOA and OA require the baby to turn less than LOT and can initiate a faster labor, but they are less common than LOT. Usually midwives or doctors do not address special attention on the position of the head, so that a baby in the LOT position is often called LOA or simply OA.

The four initial positions often progress to (or remain) pure OP (posterior breech) during active labor. Right lateral occipital presentation (ROT), right posterior occipital presentation (ROP), and left posterior occipital presentation (LOP) progress to pure OP over longer labor times. A baby in the LOP position has to turn a shorter distance to move to the LOT position. The incidence of posterior vision at the onset of labor has been largely unexplored, and almost all studies conducted have ignored all other variants other than pure OP.

Four "rear" positions

position of the fetus in the womb

Drawing from Gail Tully's book The Belly Mapping Workbook

When labor begins, the high position ROT baby moves into the ROA position past the sacral promontory at the base of the spine and then rotates into the LOT position to enter the pelvis. Most babies move into OA when they reach

pelvic floor or perineum.

If the baby is in the ROT position, he will usually move into the OP (in rare cases, ROA) in the mid-pelvis, and as he progresses further, he will be born in the ROA or OA.

Some of these babies turn quite easily, especially in mothers with a rounded pelvis, in a good upright position, during strong contractions, and also in those who have given birth safely before.

Obstetrics textbooks say that about 15-30% of babies are born in a posterior cephalic presentation. Jean Sutton, in her book Optimal Fetal Position, writes that 50% of babies become posteriorly positioned during the early stages of labor, when the mother first arrives at the hospital. According to my observations, 75% of babies are positioned with their arms forward before the onset of labor, i.e. their backs are closer to the mother's back than to her stomach. Strong preparatory contractions lead to the fact that a third of them turn to the LOT position even before the cervix begins to dilate.

Differences between the information in textbooks, Jean Sutton's observations, and my own indicate that some of the babies who are in the posterior position at the onset of labor turn before arriving at the hospital, then some more turn before the average doctor notices their position. In other words, it's not a big problem. It’s just that a third of the kids turn around more noticeably than others.

Only 5-7% of children are born in a pure posterior occipital presentation, the rest turn during childbirth. At least 12% of all caesarean sections are performed when the baby is stuck in the OP position due to the large diameter of the head compared to the head in the OA position. Babies in the ROT, ROP, and OP positions are more likely to turn during labor and are born rear-facing (OA).

Thanks to DONA co-founder Penny Simkin's background in physical therapy, our doula trainings and annual conferences hosted by DONA include helpful exercises for babies whose heads are not positioned as perfectly in their pelvis as they would like. Two key books, Optimal Fetal Position and The Birthing Process Handbook, describe non-surgical birthing techniques that use movement and gravity.

Belly mapping is a fun activity that strengthens family bonds. Fears associated with posterior cephalic presentation should be greatly reduced by calmly and confidently talking about the many options available to the mother. Simple demonstrations of some of the exercises learned in doula training, such as the Abdominal Lift, Lunge and Open Knee Chest, will reassure parents that the baby can indeed still turn.

Babies in the “three forward positions” easily turn into the final position of the anterior view of the occipital presentation.

If the baby is progressing well in the posterior occipital presentation, then, as a rule, everything is fine. The exception is when a woman gives birth to a narrower pelvis, usually triangular or male-shaped. If, in the current position of the fetal head, the head is too large to pass through the pelvis, rapidly progressing labor ends unexpectedly. After a normally proceeding first stage of labor, a protracted pause occurs when the baby stops advancing. In such cases, a caesarean section is often performed. If a baby in the posterior occipital presentation can rise back a little and try again, then there is still hope for a natural birth.

Before the baby begins to move, the mother must be warned about this. She must understand that the first weak beat or measured tapping is nothing more than the movements of her child, who is already exercising his muscles and of his own free will takes part in their improvement. At this moment the child already becomes a reality. When the fetal heartbeat is heard, a long stethoscope can be given to the mother so that she can hear her baby's heartbeat. The woman needs to be told that the child’s length has now reached twenty-five centimeters, and its weight is from two hundred thirty to three hundred forty grams. Some women report regular beatings in the uterus that last up to half an hour or more. The assumption that the child was attacked by hiccups fuels the mother's interest and gives a sense of its reality.

As the baby develops, it has full ability to move freely, protected by the waters of the amniotic sac in which it grows. The child may poke his arms and legs, roll over, etc.

As the baby's size increases, its living space in the uterus decreases accordingly. Eventually, the baby settles into some final position that it is in when labor begins.

Typically, the mother can feel the baby's back on one side or the other of the uterus. By tracing the line of his back with your palm, you can feel the tubercle, which most likely turns out to be the buttocks. On the other hand, you can feel the legs pressing against you. The head is lowered down and is perceived as a hard bulge above the pubis. A woman may feel the blows of the baby's arms in the area of ​​the bladder or sacrum. The easiest way is to feel the baby's back, arms or legs when he pushes or jerks. Most mothers have a fairly accurate idea of ​​the baby's position.

True, sometimes it is difficult to understand whether the bump you feel is the head or the buttocks. An experienced doctor or midwife can usually determine the position of the fetus and inform the mother (the doctor delivering the baby should always feel the mother's abdomen and explain to her what he finds). If the tubercle corresponds to the buttocks, then by moving it, we move the whole body. If it is the head, then it will sink and emerge with each finger press, but the body will not move.