Stargazers: Meaning, Risks, and Tips

What does it mean for mother and baby when the child is in the stargazing position? We answer the most important questions.

That is why one speaks of the stargazer

Babies usually turn into the skull position (SL) until the 36th week of pregnancy (36th week of pregnancy) so that they lie with their heads down for the birth. So-called stargazers have also turned, so they are lying upside down in the pool. However, the face points upwards, i.e. towards the mother's stomach instead of the back. In technical jargon one speaks of the posterior occipital position (hHHL). However, that happens rarely. Most babies turn face down, which is called the anterior occipital position (vHHL). And that is definitely an advantage for the birth: "The occiput or the child's neck fits very well into the pubic arch of the mother. From an anatomical point of view, it is optimal for birth, i.e. for a child to exit the birth canal," says midwife Manuela Rauer-Sell from the "German Midwives Association e.V." in Berlin. Whether the child becomes a stargazer is not decided until the birth process. The baby moves through the birth canal and slides further and further down: "The little body makes a 'screwing movement' – either in one or the other direction. This is how the hHHL or the vHHL is created," explains Rauer-Sell.

Overview of the childhood situations

Stargazer: overview of the child's situation before birth

Different child positions: posterior occipital position above left, anterior occipital position below left, breech position above right and transverse position below right.

When it comes to the child's position, medical professionals differentiate between transverse, sloping and longitudinal positions. The stargazer belongs to the latter.

Longitudinal layers

If the skull lies in the direction of the cervix, it is referred to as the skull position (SL), and during birth it becomes a posterior or an anterior occipital position:

  • Posterior occiput: the baby lies head down, back to the mother's back, face to the mother's stomach.
  • anterior occipital position: the baby is lying head down, back to the mother's stomach and face to the mother's back.

The breech position (BEL) is also a longitudinal position, with the rump of the baby pointing towards the cervix. Either the rump or the feet can lead, in which case one speaks of a rump-toe position, which harbors a high risk of complications.

Lateral position or inclined position

The child lies at a right or acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the birth canal.

Risks of the posterior occipital position

What are the disadvantages of the stargazing location? "The so-called preceding part, i.e. the child's head, enters the birth canal in a somewhat less favorable position. The birth can therefore take longer, which means a longer effort for the mother and also for the child," says Manuela Rauer-Sell. However, this does not mean that the mother-to-be has to forego vaginal birth, because "the posterior occipital position is not per se one of the indications for a caesarean section," says Rauer-Sell. Good to know: the posterior occipital position is comparatively rare.

Possible risks in a stargazing location are:

  • Premature urge to press
  • Increased risk of a perineal injury (here you can find out more about the perineal tear)
  • The contractions phase itself can be slowed down because it is more difficult for the child's front head to move under the pubic angle than the narrow neck.

A stargazing situation alone does not necessarily have long-term consequences for the child, but since it "can be the reason for interventions or a long, strenuous birth, it plays a role", explains Rauer-Sell. Medical intervention in this case can, for example, be the use of a suction cup – but it does not have to be.

Influence the stargazing location

There are many tips and exercises on the Internet, such as: B. crouch or the knee-chest position, which should have a positive effect on the baby's position.

Do such exercises really help?

Yes, movement and taking different positions during the birthing process influence the posture and attitude of the child.

This also enables the settings to be corrected. During the birth, the woman is instructed in this regard by the midwife, if necessary, "says midwife Rauer-Sell. Most of the exercises are, however, in the Birth preparation is not necessary. It can make sense if the pregnant woman sits on an exercise ball with her pelvis circling before and also during the birth: "Movement in the pelvis supports the birth processes and can help the mother relax, "explains midwife Rauer-Sell.

The supine position is rather unfavorable for the birth. B. Birth positions while standing, squatting or even on four feet, so gravity is better used.

Would you like to know more about the process of childbirth? This birth video helps you imagine exactly how it works.

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