CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

What Is Vertex Presentation?

Is baby in vertex presentation? Great. Now here's what that actually means, and how it will affect your labor.
save article
profile picture of The Bump Editors
Updated May 5, 2017
Hero Image
Image: Whittaker Portraits

Vertex presentation is just medical speak for “baby’s head-down in the birth canal and rearing to go!” About 97 percent of all deliveries are headfirst, or vertex—and rare is the OB who will try to deliver any other way.

Other, less common presentations include breech (when baby’s head is near your ribs) and transverse (which means the shoulder, arm or trunk is due to come out first because baby is lying on his side). Most babies will turn by about 34 weeks, but some have “unstable lies,” meaning they’re like a politician trying to make everyone happy—that is, they frequently flip positions.

About 95 percent of all babies will be head-down and ready to go by delivery day. If your little one isn’t vertex by 36 weeks, ask your doctor about your options. She may recommend doing a version procedure, in which the doctor tries to manually turn baby by pushing on your abdomen, but it does carry some risks and is only about 60 to 70 percent successful.

Expert: Melissa M. Goist, MD, assistant professor, obstetrics and gynecology, The Ohio State University Medical Center.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

castor oil on wood table
Is It Safe to Drink Castor Oil to Induce Labor?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman at doctor's office
Baby Is Coming: What to Know About Cervical Dilation
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
doctor examining pregnant woman's belly for membrane sweep
What Is a Membrane Sweep—and How Can It Induce Labor?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
evening primrose oil
Is It Safe to Induce Labor With Evening Primrose Oil?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
mother who just gave birth holding newborn baby in hospital bed
Expert Tips for How to Prevent Tearing During Birth
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
couple packing hospital bag for birth
Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack for Delivery
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman doing exercises to induce labor
Exercises to Help Induce Labor
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
What Does It Mean to Have a Breech Baby?
What Does It Mean to Have a Breech Baby?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman with IV in arm during labor
The Lowdown on Using Pitocin During Labor
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
close up of newborn baby sleeping on mother's chest after labor and delivery
The Best Labor and Delivery Gowns for Comfort and Convenience
By Christin Perry
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman sitting in bed
How to Do Perineal Massage to Prepare for a Vaginal Delivery
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman sitting at home
What to Know About the Transverse Baby Position
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman sitting in bed holding belly
What Does Baby's Fetal Station in Labor and Delivery Mean?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
mother holding newborn baby after giving birth in hospital
What Happens Right After Baby Is Born?
By Liz Callahan Schnabolk
man helping woman through labor and delivery
9 Ways to Support Your Birthing Partner During Labor and Delivery
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
woman in labor with eyes closed
A Quick Guide to HypnoBirthing and Its Techniques
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman in active labor in hospital bed
What Is Active Labor?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
smiling same sex female couple sitting together and looking at one of their pregnant bumps
What You Need to Know About a Mucus Plug
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman sitting at home looking at ultrasound photos
What Is Considered a Full-Term Pregnancy—and Why Does It Matter?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman going through labor in hospital
What Does Back Labor Feel Like?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List