Transverse Baby: Is This Common In Pregnancy?

Babies constantly move and change their position in utero. However, in the last few days before delivery, the baby positions themselves so their head is downwards. You will find your doctor checking on the position of your baby on every visit.

This is necessary as the baby’s position affects your labor and delivery. So, what made you come here? Are are having a transverse baby? So, if you have a transverse position baby, then here is everything you need to know about it and what you can try to bring the baby into a position suitable for a vaginal delivery.

What Is Transverse Baby Position?

The transverse baby position is also known as the transverse lie or the transverse fetal lie. This is when the baby is sideways, creating a 90-degree angle with your spine. This is when vaginal delivery almost becomes impossible, as it is risky for both you and your baby.

The feet and head of the baby are mainly on the left or ride side of your body, and the back sometimes faces the birth canal, the shoulder sometimes faces the birth canal, or the stomach faces the birth canal.

Generally, by the time of the delivery, the baby positions its head down towards the birthing canal, with its feet facing it. The transverse position is rare; only one in five hundred babies settle into this position.

The problem with this position is that when you go into labor, there is a chance that the baby’s shoulder might get into your pelvis before its head. This often leads to the death of a baby and also puts you at risk.

Causes Behind Transverse Baby Position

If you are thinking, why is my baby transverse? Then you should know that it happens for various reasons. It could happen because of having many children in the past or for some anatomical reasons. Here are some of the common reasons mentioned.

Anatomy of the mother

If the mother has narrow hips, then it is natural that the pelvic opening will also be narrow because of the small area near the opening. This is something that makes it difficult for the baby to flip vertically.

Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids do not cause any problems. These are non-cancerous growths and do not cause any harm. However, these growths take up much space in the uterus and limit the space for the baby to move.

Shape of the uterus

The shape of the uterus matters. A heart-shaped uterus or one with a slight separation in the middle increases the baby’s chance to go sideways. Often, a bulky uterus makes it difficult to bear a child full-term. Because of fibroids, a uterus often becomes bulky.

Multiple pregnancies in the past

If this is not your first child, and you have undergone many pregnancies before, the uterus becomes more elastic. This allows the baby to change positions frequently, and there is a lot of space left after that. This often makes the baby go into a transverse position.

Polyhydramnios

If you have too much amniotic fluid during the later part of your pregnancy, it might allow the baby to move too much and get engaged with the pelvis. However, this is a rare condition and causes only 1 or 2% of pregnancies.

Moreover, remember that the baby can change from a transverse position to another position. It is not a permanent position. The baby changes position during the pregnancy, and sometimes, the baby rests horizontally but then returns to the head-down position before delivery.

Transverse Lie Baby Symptoms

There is no simple way to find out or look for symptoms of a transverse baby. There is no significant difference between a typical pregnancy belly and a traverse baby belly shape.

Mostly, you will notice a wideness in the center of the abdomen if you have a transverse belly. However, here are some of the other symptoms which you might notice.

• The upper part of the uterus might feel flat as compared to the lower part, as the baby is positioned sideways.
• You will feel the baby stretching on their sides, not from top to bottom.
• You might feel a change and improvement in your breathing because the position of your baby has changed.

Diagnosing a Transverse Baby

Well, these days, all mothers research about the potential risks that can happen while delivering, and this is when they start thinking how to know if they have a transverse baby. There are other ways to figure this out.

Abdominal Examination

During an abdominal examination, you will feel your baby’s shoulder at the bottom of the uterus. The bum or head is not felt at the bottom. The head is felt on one of the sides. An experienced medical professional can tell you how your baby is situated.

Vaginal Examination

During a vaginal examination, the shoulder may be felt if your baby is transverse. Moreover, an arm can even slip forward, and the examiner might feel the elbow or hand during the pelvic exam. However, all of this can be confirmed with an ultrasound.

Risks Associated with Transverse Lie

I have mentioned before that babies keep on changing positions during the pregnancy, and there is nothing worrisome about that matter. Moreover, they get back in a suitable position before the delivery.

However, if they still don’t change position with a week remaining before delivery, certain risks might accompany this condition.

• When the baby is transverse, the placenta is also in an unusual position, often blocking the cervix opening. This prevents the baby from getting to the head-down position.
• This often causes early labor, and then there is no time to get the baby in the right position for labor.
• If the baby is in a transverse position, then there is a chance that there could be uterine rupture or stillbirth.
• There is also a chance for umbilical cord prolapse, and this happens when the cord leaves the uterus before the baby is then it gets compressed. This cuts off the oxygen supply and acts as a significant reason behind stillbirth.
• There is also a chance for postpartum hemorrhage if you deliver a transverse baby.

Managing a Transverse Baby

If you know that you have a transverse baby, then you can do certain things to manage your baby and get the little one back in the right position before delivery. There are medical options that medical professionals generally suggest, and some home inversions.

Medical Options

Your healthcare professional might suggest these things to get the baby back in position. Here are the techniques mentioned.

• ECV or External cephalic version: The professionals might know about your situation, but this procedure cannot be done before you reach the 36th week of your pregnancy. They put pressure on the abdomen where the butt and head are.
• Webster technique: This is basically a chiropractic method where the professional moves the hips and adjusts it to relax the uterus and make space for the baby to move and be in a suitable position for childbirth.

At-home Inversions

Well, try a few things that you can try at home to get the baby in a suitable position. However, this depends on the reason why you are having a transverse baby. Consult your healthcare professional before you try anything at home.

• Breech tilt: Take a longboard and support the end of it with cushions, and the center of the board should be touching the sofa. Then, place yourself carefully so your head rests on the pillow, and hold the position for 10-15 minutes.
• Forward-leaning inversion: Kneel carefully from a low bed or at the end of the sofa. Then, keep your hands on the ground and rest your forearms. Don’t keep your head on the floor. Try this for 30 to 40 seconds, and repeat this a few times a day.
• Yoga: Yoga involves positions that invert the body. Most instructors suggest Puppy Pose to improve the positioning of the baby. Place your forehead on the floor, keep your arms, and lift your lower back.

Delivery of a Transverse Baby

If you have a transverse baby, and nothing worked for you even though you tried to change their position, then there is almost a 90% chance that you will not be able to go for a vaginal delivery.

If nothing works, then you have to go for a C-section. Well, maybe this was not what you planned, but this is also safe for the baby and you. If the position is not optimal, and no other options are left, it is better to go for a C-section.

Always ask your doctor a lot of questions whenever you are in doubt. And if your birth plan changes suddenly, then make sure you clear your donuts but trust your doctor. They will understand what you need at that moment.

Trust The Process

First, relax and take a deep breath. Taking all this information together might be a lot, but you must stay calm in your condition. Pregnancy has many surprise elements, and it often continues till labor and delivery.

Discuss all the possible outcomes with your doctor to be prepared and calm. Even though it is rare, you might have a transverse baby and get comfortable in that position. Take care of yourself throughout the entire pregnancy. There is nothing to worry about when you have everything planned.