Fetal Position

• Position 


  Refers to the orientation of the presenting part (usually the fetal head) in relation to the mother's pelvis. It is a key factor in determining how smoothly labor will progress.
• Components of Fetal Position

  1. Presenting part
  2. Maternal Pelvis Quadrants
  3. Fetal Reference Point
• Maternal Pelvis Quadrant

  4 quadrants

  • Left Anterior (LA)
  • Right Anterior (RA)
  • Left Posterior (LP)
  • Right Posterior (RP)
• Fetal Reference Point

  Vertix or cephalic - occiput (back of head)

  Breech - sacrum

  *Mentum - chin
• Abbreviations for Fetal Position

  • First letter - Indicates whether the presenting part is facing the left (L) or right (R) side of the mother’s pelvis.
  • Second Letter - Indicates the specific presenting part (usually O for occiput in cephalic presentation, S for sacrum in breech presentation).
  • Third Letter - Indicates whether the presenting part is directed toward the anterior (A), posterior (P), or transverse (T) aspect of the mother’s pelvis.
• LOA and ROA (Occiput Anterior) are considered the best positions for a smooth vaginal delivery.