Position (obstetrics) - Positions

Positions

Depending upon which part of the fetus is expected to be delivered first (fetal presentation), there are many possible positions:

  • Vertex presentation with longitudinal lie:
Name Abb. Description
Left occipitoanterior LOA occiput, as against the buttocks, is close to the vagina (hence known as vertex presentation) faces anteriorly (forward with mother standing) and towards left. This is the most common position and lie.
Right occipitoanterior ROA occiput faces anteriorly and towards right. Less common than LOA, but not associated with labor complications.
Left occipitoposterior occiput faces posteriorly (behind) and towards left.
Right occipitoposterior ROP occiput faces posteriorly and towards right.
Occipitoanterior occiput faces anteriorly (absolutely straight without any turning to any of the sides)
Occipitoposterior occiput faces posteriorly (absolutely straight without any turning to any of the sides)
Left occipitotransverse LOT occiput faces left
Right occipitotransverse ROT occiput faces right
  • Breech presentation with longitudinal lie:
  1. Left sacrum anterior (LSA)—the buttocks, as against the occiput of the vertex presentation, like close to the vagina (hence known as breech presentation), which like anteriorly and towards the left.
  2. Right sacrum anterior (RSA)—the buttocks face anteriorly and towards the right.
  3. Left sacrum posterior (LSP)—the buttocks face posteriorly and towards the left.
  4. Right sacrum posterior (RSP)—the buttocks face posteriorly and towards right.
  5. Sacrum anterior (SA)—the buttocks face anteriorly.
  6. Sacrum posterior (SP)—the buttocks face posteriorly.
  • Shoulder presentation with transverse lie are classified into four types, based on the location of the scapula (shoulderblade); note: the presentation is significantly different to asynclitic positioning, and in most cases needs to be delivered by cesarean section.
  1. Left scapula-anterior (LSA)
  2. Right scapula-anterior (RSA)
  3. Left scapula-posterior (LSP)
  4. Right scapula-posterior (RSP)

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