Posterior Position During Pregnancy: What It Means & How to Encourage Optimal Fetal Positioning
14 Apr 2025
As you approach labor and delivery, your baby’s position in the womb plays a big role in how smoothly birth progresses. If your doctor or midwife mentions that your baby is in the posterior position, you might wonder what that means and whether it will affect your birth experience.
A posterior baby can still be delivered vaginally, but labor may take longer and be more intense.
Luckily, there are natural ways to encourage your baby to turn into a more favorable position before labor starts! Let’s explore what the posterior position is, how it affects labor, and how to encourage your baby to move into an optimal position.
Posterior Position (Occiput Posterior or OP) – Baby faces forward (toward your belly), which can make labor longer and more painful. Most babies naturally turn into the anterior position before or during labor—but if your baby stays posterior, labor might be more challenging.
Intense back pain ("back labor") – The baby’s skull presses against your spine.
Slower dilation – Contractions may not be as effective in pushing the baby down.
Increased risk of interventions – If labor stalls, doctors may recommend forceps, vacuum assistance, or a C-section. Many posterior babies turn during labor—but positioning exercises can help encourage movement before labor begins!
This position allows gravity to encourage baby’s back to rotate forward.
Use an exercise ball instead of a chair to keep your hips open and promote movement. Avoid bucket-style seats (like deep car seats) that encourage baby to stay posterior.
Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then slowly sit up.
Do this 1-3 times per day to help baby rotate. Do not attempt this if you feel dizzy or lightheaded!
Avoid sleeping flat on your back, which can keep baby in a posterior position.
Try gentle swaying or rocking on an exercise ball to open up the pelvis.
Includes side-lying, forward leaning, and lunging movements.
Recommended for women in late pregnancy or early labor. Look up the "Miles Circuit" online for guided instructions!
Contractions that don’t progress or feel irregular.
Signs of labor stalling (no dilation or baby not descending). Your doctor or midwife can recommend safe techniques or interventions if needed.
Luckily, there are natural ways to encourage your baby to turn into a more favorable position before labor starts! Let’s explore what the posterior position is, how it affects labor, and how to encourage your baby to move into an optimal position.
What Is the Posterior Position?
The posterior position (also called "sunny-side up") means your baby is head-down but facing your abdomen instead of your spine.Types of Baby Positions in Late Pregnancy:
Optimal Position (Anterior) – Baby faces your back, with their chin tucked, making labor smoother.Posterior Position (Occiput Posterior or OP) – Baby faces forward (toward your belly), which can make labor longer and more painful. Most babies naturally turn into the anterior position before or during labor—but if your baby stays posterior, labor might be more challenging.
How Does a Posterior Baby Affect Labor?
A posterior baby can cause: Longer labor – The baby’s head doesn’t fit as easily through the birth canal.Intense back pain ("back labor") – The baby’s skull presses against your spine.
Slower dilation – Contractions may not be as effective in pushing the baby down.
Increased risk of interventions – If labor stalls, doctors may recommend forceps, vacuum assistance, or a C-section. Many posterior babies turn during labor—but positioning exercises can help encourage movement before labor begins!
How to Encourage Your Baby to Move Into the Anterior Position
If your baby is posterior after 34 weeks, try these natural positioning techniques:1. Spend Time on Hands & Knees
Lean forward while resting on your hands & knees (like the “cat-cow” stretch in yoga).This position allows gravity to encourage baby’s back to rotate forward.
2. Sit Forward Instead of Leaning Back
Avoid reclining on couches—sit upright or lean slightly forward.Use an exercise ball instead of a chair to keep your hips open and promote movement. Avoid bucket-style seats (like deep car seats) that encourage baby to stay posterior.
3. Use the "Forward-Leaning Inversion" Position
Kneel on a couch and lower your hands to the floor (like a downward-facing dog).Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then slowly sit up.
Do this 1-3 times per day to help baby rotate. Do not attempt this if you feel dizzy or lightheaded!
4. Sleep on Your Left Side
Lie on your left side with a pillow between your legs to encourage rotation.Avoid sleeping flat on your back, which can keep baby in a posterior position.
5. Walk, Dance, or Use a Birth Ball
Walking encourages movement & helps baby shift into a better position.Try gentle swaying or rocking on an exercise ball to open up the pelvis.
6. Try the "Miles Circuit"
A series of 3 positions designed to help rotate a posterior baby.Includes side-lying, forward leaning, and lunging movements.
Recommended for women in late pregnancy or early labor. Look up the "Miles Circuit" online for guided instructions!
When to Call Your Doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience: Severe back pain that doesn’t improve with movement.Contractions that don’t progress or feel irregular.
Signs of labor stalling (no dilation or baby not descending). Your doctor or midwife can recommend safe techniques or interventions if needed.
