Fetal lie, Position and Attitude

General characteristics
The characteristics of a full term baby are:
 * Average weight of 3500g
 * Average length of 50cm
 * Well developed external genitalia; testes in scrotum and labia majora covering labia minora
 * Remnants of lanugo hair on back
 * Nails extending beyond tips of fingers and toes

Length of pregnancy is from the 1st day of the last menstruation up until approximately 280days (i.e. 10 lunar months). Or in other terms, approximately 266 days after fertilization. During this time certain check-ups on the fetus are carried out so as to check for healthiness and identification of any problems that may exist.

Fetal Lie
Fetal lie is the relationship of the fetus to the long axis of the mother...

NORMAL lie- longitudinal lie- fetus' long axis is in line with the mother's uterus with its head down

ABNORMAL lie- is referred to a breech, where the buttocks are in positioned in uterus as to where the head should normally be

Fetal Position

 * LOA- Left Occiput Anterior (most frequent)
 * LOT- Left Occiput Transverse
 * LOP- Left Occiput Posterior


 * ROA- Right Occiput Anterior
 * ROT- Right Occiput Transverse
 * ROP- Right Occiput Posterior

(Where Occiput refers to Occipital Bone position)

Fetal Attitude
This describes the relationship of fetus' body parts to one another. Normal fetal attitude is when the head is tucked down to the chest with its arms and legs drawn in towards center of chest.