Is the baby's head down? Let's talk about Vertex Presentation!

As you approach the last weeks of your pregnancy, you may have heard the doctor touch your belly and say, "The baby is now in the correct position, head down." You may have even seen the word 'Vertex Presentation' written on your scan report. Did you feel a little scared or strange when you heard this word? What does 'Vertex' mean? You may have wondered if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Don't worry. This is actually very good news. Today, we will talk about this in a very simple way that you can understand.

Simply put, what is this Vertex Presentation?

Vertex Presentation means that your baby is in the most suitable and safest position for a normal vaginal delivery. Think of it this way, the baby is positioned in the womb.

To be precise, this is what the baby looks like in this position:

• Head down: The baby's head is facing your cervix.
• Crown of the head forward: The crown of the baby's head, not the back of the head, is the first to present itself into the cervix. This is called the 'Vertex'.
• Chin to chest: The baby is curled up like a ball, with his chin pressed to his chest. This is to make way for the smallest part of his head to come out first.
• Facing your back: The baby's face is facing your back.

Simply put, this is like a baby's "VIP entrance" into the world. The safest position that makes everything easier.

Are Vertex and Cephalic the same?

You may have also heard the term 'Cephalic presentation'. These two are very similar, but there is a slight difference.

• Cephalic presentation: This simply means 'the baby's head is down'.
• Vertex presentation: This is the best and most correct type of cephalic presentation. This means that the head is down, the chin is pressed against the chest, and the top of the head is forward.

There are other cephalic positions, such as face presentation or brow presentation, but they are not ideal for normal childbirth. Therefore, Vertex is the best position we can all hope for.

When does the baby turn into this position?

Most babies turn and settle into this position between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Before that, the baby moves around a lot in the womb. One day, he'll be head up, the next day, he'll be lying cross-legged. That's normal. But around 36 weeks, the baby is a little bigger and there's not enough room in the womb. So he has less room to move around, and he settles into one position.

But sometimes babies turn into this position even after 36 weeks. So don't panic too early.

Your doctor will check your baby's position in two ways:

1. Leopold's maneuvers: When you go to the clinic, the doctor will feel your belly from place to place, right? By doing this, he can find out where the baby's head is, where the bottom is, and which side the spine is.

2. Ultrasound scan: A scan is performed to more accurately check everything, such as the baby's position and the location of the placenta.

Why is the Vertex position good for normal childbirth?

There are several reasons why this position is so good for childbirth.

• Head first: The head is the largest and hardest part of the baby's body. So once the head comes out of the birth canal, the rest of the body comes out much easier.
• The shape of the head can change: The bones of the baby's skull are not fused together early on. Therefore, as it passes through the birth canal, the head can change shape (molding) slightly and easily come out of tight spaces.
• Helping the cervix open: The baby's head pressing against the cervix stimulates the production of hormones necessary for labor, and it also helps the cervix open.

Are there any risks in this position?

Although Vertex is the best position, a rare complication is that the baby may become too large . If your baby is very large, there is a small chance that his head or shoulders could get stuck in the birth canal, even if he is in the Vertex position. In such a case, your doctor may recommend a cesarean section (C-section) for your and your baby's safety.

What is the difference between Vertex and Breech Presentation?

The exact opposite of the Vertex position is 'Breech Presentation'. Simply put, this is when the baby's head is facing up and the buttocks or legs are facing down.

Let's look at this table to clearly understand the difference between the two.

Between 3% and 4% of babies end up in a breech position. If your baby is in a breech position, don't worry. Your doctor will talk to you about the safest option, which is a cesarean section. This is because the risks of having a normal delivery in a breech position are much higher.

If the baby is in the breech position, can it be turned?

Yes, in some cases you can try to turn the baby back into the Vertex position. But this is not possible for everyone, and it is not always successful. There are several ways to do this.

• External Cephalic Version (ECV): This is the main method used by doctors. In this, two doctors work together, watching the baby on a scan, and then slowly push on your belly to turn the baby inside the womb. This is done in a hospital, prepared for any emergency. Since this method has both advantages and disadvantages, you should discuss it carefully with your doctor and make a decision.

• Changing your position: There is a belief that some yoga-like poses can help the baby turn. For example, kneeling, placing your elbows on the floor and leaning forward. These are not harmful, but there is no guarantee that they are 100% effective.

• Using stimulation: You can try to get your baby to move by playing music in the baby's room, talking, or gently touching a light to the belly. These are also safe things to try.

Can a baby who has been in the Vertex position become Breech again?

This is very rare. Once the baby is in the Vertex position, there is not enough room in the womb for it to turn again. However, very rarely, babies born to mothers with too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) still have some room to turn during delivery.

vertex presentation, pregnancy, childbirth, baby's position, cephalic presentation, breech presentation, normal delivery