thread: Can you tell where baby is lying by where it's kicking?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    Perth
    1,171

    Question Can you tell where baby is lying by where it's kicking?

    Sorry if this is a silly question !

    I mostly get kicks at the lower left side of my belly, and lately I'm starting to feel convinced that baby is preferring to lie breech posterior! I can't get a visual image, but if it's head down wouldn't you tend to feel kicks up near your ribs? (can someone who knows baby is head down please clarify this for me? or does it still vary?)

    I guess what I'm feeling could also be hands/arms, I do tend to forget about that. And I'm only 29 weeks so still have turning time up my sleeve! (maybe need to do more yoga down dogs!!)

  2. #2
    ♥ BellyBelly's Creator ♥
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    Feb 2003
    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Australia
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    If you feel kicks on the left, then your bub's back will be lying on the right side, and vice versa.
    Kelly xx

    Creator of BellyBelly.com.au, doula, writer and mother of three amazing children
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  3. #3
    Registered User

    Feb 2008
    Gold Coast, QLD
    1,563

    I feel the vast majority of baby's movements on the lower left side of my belly. These are baby's hands and arms. I also feel hiccups down there, too. I feel kicks up on the right side under my ribs, these are baby's feet. I didn't know which way baby was lying until last week when my Ob had a quick look with his little ultrasound machine.

    I suppose if your baby is anterior, then its back will curve with your stomach so the feet will be pointed in. My baby is posterior so the feet are aimed out and I can feel the kicks under my ribs very clearly. I can often play with baby's feet when they are sticking out.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jan 2007
    7,197

    Usually if bub is posterior they feel "all arms and legs" all over your belly because their back is on your back and you can feel everything! That was me with Isabelle and at times I have my suspicions with this little man. If bub is anterior then you should feel most movement all on one side. I find it really hard to determine what is what too and even midwives and Dr's can get it very wrong... I was told at 38 weeks that Isabelle was anterior but she was posterior from32 weeks right up until she was born! At my last appointment the midwife dug around in my pelvis a bit to see if she could feel the head down there, and she "thought" she could feel it but still wasn't 100% sure! Not really an exact science unless an u/s is used, and as you said but bub might move still! The other thing is if you are ike me I spend pretty much no time flat on my back, even on the couch etc.... except for appointments so bub could be in a different position because of that.
    HtH!

  5. #5

    Jun 2008
    141

    Hi Deni,

    I also was feeling most movements on my lower left side - above my pelvis. At my last GP's appt, the Dr felt all around my tummy and advised it appears that bub's head is up, on the right side of my belly button, and bub's feet are down near my pelvis (ie breech position). Don't know if that helps - I'm only 26 1/2 weeks so not sure if this makes a difference!

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Melbourne, Victoria
    500

    Hi - I also feel most of the kicks down low and it was generally to the left. Recently the kicks are all over but the strongest are still down low. The baby is head down and has been since 26 weeks. I also have an anterior placenta. It is all very confusing! Last week I started getting a vibration type of feeling up under my right breast - it has continued each day for short periods. I asked my Ob and he said it could be the baby hiccuping. Has anyone else had a vibration type of feeling?

  7. #7
    Lea79 Guest

    Well at 29 weeks I wouldn't worry because bub is still turning like crazy at that time. What you are feeling could well be legs or arms or bub could be laying transverse still (across your tummy). By about 34 weeks we tend to worry if bub is breech but if you are at this stage there is nothing to worry about, bubs havin a good old dance in there!

    Leanne

    (Student midwife/ registered nurse)

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jan 2008
    In a land of bubbles and trouble
    1,479

    Katiegirl - I get that feeling - I have a high anterior placenta too - it is like a constant beat for 20 seconds - freaked me out the first time but I think it is either hiccups or bubs trying to get traction to move LOL

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Melbourne, Victoria
    500

    Hi Sam - glad to hear it isn't just me with the vibrations! It is a strange feeling but nothing that has worried me. Yesterday we were driving home and it took a couple of hours and it the vibration feeling started to drive me crazy - I find that placing my hand under my right breast over the spot seems to lull it a bit.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    Perth
    1,171

    Thanks for your replies gals ! I guess I'll just hold tight and see what transpires. It's a lovely phase at the moment coz the kicks aren't at all uncomfy ! I've been getting the vibrations too, weird isn't it!My next ob appt is next week (30wk) so I'll be interested if I guess right. at the moment I reckon back curving on my right side and in the breech pozzie. That's OK as long as bub moves in the coming weeks!