Whats the Optimal Pregnancy Stage to Determine Fetal Position?

After a woman becomes pregnant, it is essential to strengthen proper care, focus on dietary health, and ensure adequate rest. This ensures the health of the mother and promotes the growth and development of the fetus. Especially during the early stages of pregnancy, when the fetus is not yet stable, improper care can easily lead to signs of threatened abortion. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid such situations during routine care. So, when is the best time to determine the fetal position during pregnancy? Let's briefly explore this aspect below.

1. Determining the Fetal Position During Pregnancy

Generally speaking, most pregnant women will have a fixed fetal position around the 7th month of pregnancy, which is approximately 28 weeks gestation. At this time, the expectant mother can visit the hospital for a prenatal check-up, mainly to examine whether the baby's fetal position is normal. The fetal position is crucial as it determines the method of delivery. If the fetal position is found to be abnormal, the pregnant mother should not panic, as the fetal position can still be corrected before 36 weeks.

2. Opportunities for Fetal Checks During Pregnancy

First Opportunity: A Down's syndrome screening is performed between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy. It involves testing the pregnant woman's blood to measure the concentrations of certain substances and combining this information with factors such as the woman's age, weight, and gestational age to assess the risk of certain birth defects.

Second Opportunity: An ultrasound is performed between the 18th and 20th week of pregnancy. At this stage, the fetus's organs have fully developed, and a detailed ultrasound examination can reveal any abnormalities in these organs. This allows for early detection of fetal malformations and timely termination of the pregnancy, minimizing the impact on the mother's body.

Third Opportunity: A four-dimensional ultrasound, also known as a "minor anomaly scan," is performed between the 28th and 32nd week of pregnancy. This examination focuses on detecting any abnormalities in the fetus's urinary, digestive, and nervous systems. If the expectant mother misses this prenatal check-up during this period but later discovers fetal malformations, it may be difficult to perform an induction abortion.

3. Fetal Position at Seven Months

An abnormal fetal position can bring varying degrees of difficulty and risk to childbirth. Therefore, early correction of the fetal position is crucial for preventing difficult births. Generally, pregnancy can be divided into three stages: early pregnancy (1st-3rd month), mid-pregnancy (4th-7th month), and late pregnancy (8th-10th month).