Lisa Heffernan

Oct 18, 2023 | parents.com | Lisa Heffernan |Yamel Belen

During pregnancy, the fetus moves around into different fetal positions, but most end up in the optimal head down, face down (cephalic occiput anterior) position in the last few weeks. When the fetus doesn’t move into the cephalic position for birth, it’s called fetal malpresentation. One of the rarest positions is the transverse lie, where the fetus lies horizontally, often with one shoulder down or pressing against the birth canal.