Why is the fetus' head pointing downwards?

We all know that after a woman becomes pregnant, the fetus will continue to grow and develop in the mother's belly. The pregnant mother's belly will gradually grow larger, and the position of the fetus in the mother's belly will change. Sometimes the head will be up, and sometimes the head will be down. So why does the fetus' head go down? Let's take a closer look!

Is it normal for the baby to be head down?

It is normal for the fetus to have its head down. It is also the most natural and regular position. On the contrary, if the fetus's head is not down, but on the left, right or up, it is an abnormal position and is not conducive to delivery. The reasons for abnormal fetal position are generally due to excessive amniotic fluid, uterine malformation, etc. In short, after 30 weeks, the fetal head position is the best state. Slowly, the fetus will enter the pelvis and prepare for delivery in advance.

Why is the fetus' head facing downward?

1. To better cooperate with mother during childbirth

We all know that there are several fetal positions, including cephalic position, breech position, and transverse position. These fetal positions can be further divided into many types, which feels very varied. However, the correct fetal position should be that the fetus's head is at the bottom and the feet are at the top, that is, the cephalic position. In this way, the fetus will be better connected with the pelvis in the late pregnancy, because the fetus must pass through the birth canal to be born. If it is a cephalic position, after the fetus enters the pelvis, since the fetus's head is the firmest part of the whole body, as long as the head can pass through the birth canal, the body can pass through the birth canal, then the fetus can be delivered more smoothly, so the cephalic position is the best fetal position. The fetus chooses this fetal position for its own safety and for the safety of the mother. This is the law of nature. Of course, it is also possible to give birth naturally in a breech position, but the risk is much greater. If it is a transverse position, it is not recommended to try natural childbirth.

2. The effect of gravity

The fetus is in a vacuum state in the amniotic fluid. When the fetus is still small, it can swim freely in the uterus, just like a small fish swimming in the water. Slowly, the fetus grows bigger, but the fetus's head is the heaviest part of the whole body. In the late pregnancy, the amount of amniotic fluid will gradually decrease, and the buoyancy will not be so great, so the fetus's head will naturally go down.

3. To match the shape of the uterus

It is said that when the baby is born, the uterus is like a ball, but in fact the uterus is not a ball, but like an inverted pear, which is large on the top and small on the bottom. The fetus is relatively small before 28 weeks, and the shape of the uterus does not affect its activities. However, as the fetus grows larger, it becomes more and more difficult to move in the uterus. Therefore, in order to match the shape of the uterus, the fetus will put its head down and put its feet on top, and then the position of its hands and feet on the bottom of the uterus will be looser, which is more convenient for the fetus to move. The head position of the fetus is the most suitable position for delivery, so in the late pregnancy, the fetus is generally in the head position waiting for delivery. If the fetus is not in the head position, the pregnant mother must find a way to correct the fetal position. Before 30 weeks of pregnancy, since the fetus is not particularly large, it can generally adjust itself, and the pregnant mother does not need to intervene specifically. After 30 weeks, if the fetal position is not correct, the pregnant mother must correct the fetal position under the guidance of a doctor. The most commonly used method is the chest-knee position. As long as the pregnant mother persists, it can generally be corrected.

Will it be uncomfortable if the baby's head is always down?

Definitely not! In fact, the fetus is in a vacuum state in the mother's belly. Because of the amniotic fluid, no matter which posture it is, it is the same for the fetus, and the internal pressure is the same. So even if the fetus is upside down, it actually feels the same as when standing up, and it will not affect the fetus or make the fetus uncomfortable. So pregnant mothers don't have to think too much, and don't worry about the fetus being uncomfortable. The fetus enjoys this feeling.