The Fetal Position describes the location of a fixed reference point on the presenting bars in relation to the four quadrants. Also observed in the fetus is that the head is in flexion or is bowed, the back of the fetus is curved, and the limbs are bent and drawn up to the torso. The fetal reference is in the right or left of the mother’s pelvis. “O” is for Occiput where the fetus is in vertex presentation, “M” is for Mentum or chin where the fetus is in face presentation, “S” is for Sacrum where the fetus is in breech presentation, and Scapula or acronio the fetus is in shoulder presentation.

Different Fetal Positions

Vertex

• LOA – Left Occipito Anterior
• LOP – Left Occipito Posterior
• LOT – Left Occipito Transverse
• ROA – Right Occipito Anterior
• ROP – Right Occipito Posterior
• ROT – Right Occipito Transverse

Breech

• LSA – Left Sacro Anterior
• LSP – Left Sacro Posterior
• LST – Left Sacro Transverse
• RSA – Right Sacro Anterior
• RSP – Right Sacro Posterior
• RST – Right Sacro Transverse

Face

• LMA – Left Mento Anterior
• LMP – Left Mento Posterior
• LMT – Left Mento Transverse
• RMA – Right Mento Anterior
• RMP – Right Mento Posterior
• RMT – Right Mento Transverse

Shoulder

• LADA – Left Acromion Dorsal Anterior
• LADP – Left Acromion Dorsal Posterior
• RADA – Right Acromion Dorsal Anterior
• RADP – Right Acromion Dorsal Posterior