Bottoms Up?

Baby is pushing lots and lots, almost always on my left side, left of my belly button. I can't really figure out which direction he's facing and while he moves and kicks a lot, I don't think he changes overall position. We think he found a comfy spot and enjoys sticking his butt out at mommy. I will have to remember to ask on my next doctor's visit. Hubby thinks it is cute and laughs at my lopsided, basketball of a belly.

From Huggies Baby Network
Heads Up? Bottoms Up? Birth Presentations and Your Delivery
As your delivery date nears and your baby approaches that monumental trip through the birth canal, his position becomes more important. The term "presentation" describes your baby's position as he enters the birth canal, ready at last to present himself to the world. The correct position - which occurs with about 95 percent of births - is head down, facing the mother's back, with the chin tucked into the chest and the back of the head emerging first. About 5 percent of the time, babies are out of position as they enter the birth canal, and this is known as a "malpresentation."

Fortunately, nearly all babies move into the correct position before the onset of labor, or even as labor begins. Amanda had a fairly common experience with her son: "At a checkup at about 36 weeks, my doctor said the baby's position was a bit sideways rather than up-and-down. My husband Brad and I were concerned, and each night Brad talked to my belly - jokingly telling the baby he had to 'straighten up.' When I returned for my appointment the following week, the baby had in fact shifted into place. My husband is convinced his lectures worked!"

A correct presentation includes three different factors: the fetal lie, the presentation and the flexion attitude.

Around two to four weeks from your due date, you'll feel the difference when your baby "drops" lower into your pelvis. By about 34 weeks, most babies will be in their final position, and odds are they'll be situated just right. (And even if they're not, labor has a way of magically nudging them into position!)

If you have concerns about your baby's presentation, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. And do keep in mind that - one way or another - babies have a knack for making it into this world a-okay!