fetus is ROA - how much should I care? « Back to Group Discussions

[oikophile]

I've been reading spinningbabies.com and from the movements I've been observing, I think this fetus is Right Occiput Anterior (ROA)--head down, butt on the right, feet on the left. It's been that way for a few weeks. I also read that ROA fetuses are more likely to turn posterior, since they tend to turn clockwise. 

I'm 33 weeks. Should I be trying to turn this little one to LOA somehow? Anyone here doing any fetal positioning type stuff?

[kparker]

I am 32 weeks and mine tends to be ROA too, based on that description. I was not given a cause for concern over it from my midwives, so I've been leaving him alone. He does roll though sometimes, and I'll have his back more along the middle of my belly and feet disappearing into space. When do we have to start worrying about positioning in earnest?

[sere234]

I'm of the opinion that as long as baby is head down, just maintain good posture and try not to worry! I think around 37-38 weeks I might start pelvic tilts and butt in the air positions in earnest to get this LO where he needs to be. Also, I've been seeing a chiropractor which does wonders for my back and hips and hopefully helps baby's position as well....

Otherwise, try not to stress about it yet!

[JudiAU]

Except when they flirt with breech, all three of mine spent their entire time in that postion. And both were posterior through most of labor. They both turned in the birth canel. Rough labor because my water was also broken with both. My midwife's only comment is that since all three prefer that position it probably has something to do what is comfortable. My chiro does wonders for speeding up labor and keeping me comfortable but it hasn't changed ROA.

[wendelberry]

I heard that mopping floors in early labor is supposed to encourage babies into the right position, since their back is the heaviest part.  So I figure, if I don't mop floors between now and then, I'll have lots of great baby-positioning activity available!  

[eggsandpancakes]

i was told by a grandmotherly type to not mop at all, ever, since it'll wrap the cord around baby's neck.

[katelove]

Originally Posted by eggsandpancakes 

i was told by a grandmotherly type to not mop at all, ever, since it'll wrap the cord around baby's neck.

Now there is a woman who knew when she was onto a good thing. I wonder how many household chores I can apply that too before I get busted?

[Bmorefarmgirl]

Originally Posted by oikophile 

I also read that ROA fetuses are more likely to turn posterior, since they tend to turn clockwise. 

Do they turn counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere?

I have lived in this hose for 6 years and can count on one and the number of times I've mopped the floor...I'm going with the cord/neck theory.

[oikophile]

Originally Posted by Bmorefarmgirl 

Do they turn counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere?

Ha, that's exactly what my partner said :)

I've been doing nightly pelvic rocks for months and as far as I know this little one has pretty much stayed put. I suppose if my midwives haven't said anything, it's not a huge cause for concern. I just want to do what I can to make my birth easier!

[MrsKoehn]

My baby has favorited that position for months and my MW said it's just fine last time I saw her. I think my baby may be a left handed kid like his Mama.

[poema304]

Mine favors that position as well. Midwife is not concerned at all. At my last appointment she said she felt more back. I wonder if which side you sleep on has any bearing on baby's position. I completely favor my right over left side. One thing I do know for sure is to avoid sitting in a semi reclined position (where your body is shaped like a C). Babies tend to settle posterior with this position. Make sure your belly button is pointed straight ahead or down, but never upwards.

[MrsKoehn]

I don't know about your sleep, I sleep on both sides (and occasionally wake up on my back) but favor the left....

[wendelberry]

Okay, never mind about saving the floor-mopping for labor.  I will have DH do it because I'm sure he doesn't want his baby in danger!  I'm pretty sure I've heard of someone's baby getting the cord wrapped around his neck because she spent way too much time doing dishes, too...

MrsKoehn, I have been really freaked out about sleeping on my back ever since my last midwife appt, when the baby's heartbeat went to 120 after I laid on my back for about 3 minutes.  It went back up to 140 after I sat up for a while.  But I get such sore hips from sleeping on my sides that I just have to lie on my back, but I lie there totally freaking that I might fall asleep and stay on my back too long!  Is anyone else having these worries/issues?

[Bmorefarmgirl]

Originally Posted by wendelberry 

But I get such sore hips from sleeping on my sides that I just have to lie on my back, but I lie there totally freaking that I might fall asleep and stay on my back too long!  Is anyone else having these worries/issues?

This is me every night. Mind racing thinking of what kind of damage I'm doing and savoring how comfortable it is for just a few minutes! Then I usually start to feel dizzy or heartburn flares up and it's time to roll over.

[Therese's Mommy]

Didn't read the other responses, but my kids are always ROA.  It must have something to do with my anatomy.  Anyway, I have had 3 fairly easy vaginal births.  My inductions were a little more painful with some crazy hip pain, but otherwise everything went fine.  

[MrsKoehn]

Originally Posted by wendelberry 

MrsKoehn, I have been really freaked out about sleeping on my back ever since my last midwife appt, when the baby's heartbeat went to 120 after I laid on my back for about 3 minutes.  It went back up to 140 after I sat up for a while.  But I get such sore hips from sleeping on my sides that I just have to lie on my back, but I lie there totally freaking that I might fall asleep and stay on my back too long!  Is anyone else having these worries/issues?

I wake up on my back sometimes and it always kinda scares me when I notice it. I just have to realize that the baby is in God's hands and it's not likely to be a huge problem and may be the reason I woke up. My hips have been really sore. My MW said I could put a flatish pillow under my back on one side to keep me at an angle and sorta sleep on my back. I try to remember to put something, even a wad of blankets, back there when I know I'll probably sleep a while. Then I don't have to scare myself when I wake up.

Originally Posted by Therese's Mommy 

Didn't read the other responses, but my kids are always ROA.  It must have something to do with my anatomy.  Anyway, I have had 3 fairly easy vaginal births.  My inductions were a little more painful with some crazy hip pain, but otherwise everything went fine.  

Any of them left handed? I'm really curious about this. My Mom noticed which of us were lefties when we were in the crib (when you still lay them on their tummies). We'd always migrate to the far side bc we were pushing with the dominant hand. That was the first 4 of us. The last 2 were always closer to her. Those two are the right handed ones.