What Does It Feel Like When Your Baby Turns Head Down?
Robert Thorne
••8 min read
When the Baby's Head Is Up, You're More Likely to Experience Discomfort Under the Ribs and to Feel Kicking in the Lower Belly. When the Baby Is Head Down...
When the baby's head is up, you're more likely to experience discomfort under the ribs and to feel kicking in the lower belly. When the baby is head down, you'll probably be feeling kicking higher up in the belly, and discomfort or pressure in the pelvis rather than the upper belly.
How can I tell of my baby is head down?
If you feel your baby's whole body move, that suggests he's in a head-down position. You may also notice that you feel his hiccups below your belly button. His other movements may feel different depending on which way he's facing: Anterior position (head down, with his back towards the front of your tummy).
Ideally for labor, the baby is positioned head-down, facing the mother's back with the chin tucked to its chest and the back of the head ready to enter the pelvis. This position is called cephalic presentation. Most babies settle into this position within the 32nd to 36th weeks of pregnancy.