Pregnancy week by week

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Settling into position

During pregnancy, babies often twist, stretch and tumble. Before labor begins, however, most babies settle into a position that allows them to be delivered headfirst through the birth canal. That doesn't always happen, though.

Check out some of the possible fetal positions at the end of pregnancy and find out how they can affect delivery.

1. Bowes WA. Management of the fetus in transverse lie. http://www.updtodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 2, 2011.
2. If your baby is breech. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp079.cfm. Accessed May 2, 2011.
3. Hofmeyr GJ. Delivery of the fetus in breech presentation. http://www.updtodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 2, 2011.
4. Having twins. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp092.cfm. Accessed May 2, 2011.
5. Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=46. Accessed May 2, 2011.
6. Chasen ST, et al. Delivery of twin gestations. http://www.updtodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 2, 2011.
7. Strehlow S, et al. Complications of labor & delivery. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2385943. Accessed May 11, 2011.
8. Hofmeyr GJ. Overview of breech presentation. http://www.updtodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 8, 2011.