How to tell a butt from a head?

[greenmulberry]

I am 36 weeks and a couple days. Went to OB the other day and they were concerned that baby was not head down.

Well, in the amount of time it took to get another OB to check, baby flipped and was head down.

But, I think she is turning quite a bit!!!! I feel big movements frequently. I imagine her just spending the day twirling around.

I am sitting at my desk and at the top of my belly I feel something large and round jabbing out. I am wondering if it is her head or her rear? 

I would like to do some exercises to encourage head down posture, but then I thought maybe if she is already head down I should NOT do anything to try and change her position as she is so fickle now.

It seems I recall reading somewhere that there was a way to tell if a large round lump was a head or a butt when feeling my belly? The OB said that if she is not head down at next appt they may want to try and turn her (ouch? and it sounded risky?).

[MamaChef]

http://www.spinningbabies.com/baby-positions/belly-mapping

Havent watched this whole thing, but you can also google Leopold's manuevers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIog3oizP8A&playnext=1&list=PL3720D626102B5C48&index=21

The head will ballot (move) separate from the body it is attached to.  A butt wont.

[RoseRedHoofbeats]

Generally speaking, butts move back and forth and heads move up and down.

~Rose

[dakotablue]

hiccups make it easy, the head moves.

Generally I have noticed the head is firmer and the butt is squishier and larger (cause legs are so close)

Also, kicks the hands aren't as forceful or as long.

[greenmulberry]

I am getting a ton of forceful movement up near my rib cage, so here is to hoping she stay head down!

[Twinklefae]

I can't really, but whichever end the feet are facing gets a LOT more forceful kicks.  This one was breech for ages, and now that it's turned I notice a lot more foot action at the top of my belly.

[Max'sMama]

Lineage School of Massage by the IC library has a regular drop in Thursday bellydance class.  Take it.  Practice bellydancing.  It helps baby to position itself well for delivery.  Check out bellydanceforbirth.com for the history of bellydance and its relations to birthing practice!    I think on Thursday's Christie teaches and she is a midwifery assitant/apprentice. 

I agree with Dakotablue, heads are firmer and the bootie is a much squishier feeling.  Also, legs are stronger and I have noticed with all my pregnancies that the area that houses the most forceful bumps/kicks is generally the legs.  

Seriously check out the bellydance classes.  Practice the hip movements to get baby to be in the best position possible.