Can I know my baby's position in the womb by their movements?

Feeling your baby move is probably one of the nicest parts of being pregnant and there may be times when you're convinced you felt an elbow or a foot poking out.

Only a scan can tell you for sure what your baby's position in the womb is, but you might get clues of how your baby is lying by what you feel when he moves about. The further along in your pregnancy you are, the easier it will be to make out how your baby's lying.

What are the signs my baby's in a head-down (cephalic) position?

If you feel a bump to the left or the right at the top of your tummy, try pressing gently on it. If your baby moves around at your touch, it might mean that your baby is in a head-down position.

You may also feel their hiccups below your belly button.

If your baby is in a head-down position, their movements can feel very different depending on which way they’re facing:

Anterior position

An anterior position is when your baby is in a head down position, and facing backwards, with their back towards the front of your tummy. If your baby is lying like this, you'll probably feel movements under your ribs. Your belly button may also pop out. It will go back inside once your baby is born.

Posterior position

If your baby's in a posterior position, this means they are head down, and facing forwards, with their back against your back. In this position, you will feel most kicks right at the front of your tummy, generally around the middle. You may also notice that your baby bump looks as though it's flat in the front, rather than being a rounded shape.

Bear in mind that if your placenta is at the front of your bump (anterior placenta), it may not be as easy for you to feel your baby’s movements because the placenta will act as a cushion. Your baby's movements will be as frequent, you may just not feel them very strongly.

If you usually feel strong movements, but notice a change in strength or frequency of your baby's movements, you should speak to your doctor immediately.

What are the signs my baby's in a bottom-down (breech) position?

You may have heard that a baby in the breech position (head up and bottom down), will need to be born by c-section. Know that your baby will keep turning around and changing positions until the last few weeks of your pregnancy. So if your baby is breech in your second trimester, or even mid third trimester, there are still high chances that he'll be head down by the time labour starts.

Only if your baby is still in the breech position by your ninth month, when there isn't enough room for your baby to make big 180 degree movements any more, your doctor will speak to you of the need for a c-section delivery.

You might get a clue that your baby is in breech by their movements, though you can't be absolutely sure. How you feel your baby's movements will depend on what kind of breech position he is in.

Frank breech or extended breech

In a frank or extended breech position, your baby’s feet are up by their ears. If this is the case, you may feel kicks around your ribs.

Incomplete breech or complete/flexed breech or footling breech

If your baby’s sitting in a cross-legged position, it's known as an incomplete breech if only one foot is down by the bottom, or a flexed/complete breech if both feet are down by the bottom.

If one or both of your baby's feet are below their bottom, the position is known as a footling breech. In all these positions, you'll probably feel your baby's kicks lower down, below your belly button.

You may also be able to feel a hard, rounded lump under your ribs, which doesn't move very much. This is your baby's head, and it may, unfortunately, be quite uncomfortable for you.

If your baby is facing backwards, you may feel fewer movements than if they are facing forwards. But don’t assume this is why you can’t feel your baby move. If you think your baby’s movements have slowed down, stopped or changed contact your doctor immediately. It’s always best to get checked.

What are the signs my baby's in a transverse position?

A transverse position is when your baby is lying horizontally across your tummy. In this case, you’ll probably feel more kicks on the right or left side of your baby bump.

You may also feel pressure from your baby’s head or back pressed against your belly. Some women feel a swooping sensation when their babies turn or roll in the womb.

Till when in my pregnancy will my baby’s position keep changing?

Your baby's position can change often, particularly during the second trimester when they can do a complete turn from head up to head down, and back again.

In the third trimester, usually by 34 weeks to 36 weeks, most babies settle into a head-down position. However, no two pregnancies are the same, and some babies move to this position earlier while others, later. By the time labour starts, rest assured that your baby is most likely to be in a head-down position, ready to be born.

If you ever feel that your baby's moving less than usual, call your doctor straight away, so they can check all is well. Don't wait until the next day, and don't hesitate even if you've called them before - it's always best to be on the safe side.

What if my baby is breech or transverse towards my due date?

Your doctor will tell you what position your baby's in during your checkups. They might even ask you to get an ultrasound scan to be sure.

Depending on how your baby is lying, your doctor might try to encourage them to turn in the womb by applying gentle but firm pressure in some key places. This is called external cephalic version (ECV). If this doesn't help your baby get into a head down position, your doctor might advise you to have a planned cesarean birth.