Pregnancy week by week

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Lying sideways

This baby is in a transverse lie — positioned horizontally across the uterus, rather than vertically. In a transverse lie, the baby's back might be positioned down, with one shoulder pointing toward the birth canal, or up, with the hands and feet facing the birth canal. Although many babies lie sideways early in pregnancy, few babies begin labor in this position. Your health care provider might try to rotate the baby manually by placing his or her hands on your abdomen, then pushing or lifting (external version). If labor has already begun, a C-section is generally recommended.

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.