Birth Sensory
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Learn · Lesson 02 of 04 · 3 min read

How babies move through the pelvis

Four common movement words, without a textbook script for every birth.

Words you might hear

Descent means moving down through the pelvis. Flexion describes the baby’s head bending forward. Rotation means turning; extension means the head tilting back as it emerges. These words describe common movements, not steps you need to manage.

A baby’s route can vary. These movements may overlap, happen differently or not follow one neat sequence. A diagram cannot tell you your baby’s position or how your birth is progressing.

  1. Concept 1DescentMoving down
  2. Concept 2FlexionHead bending forward
  3. Concept 3RotationTurning
  4. Concept 4ExtensionHead tilting back as it emerges
One common way to describe movements. The order is not a prediction, and this is not an illustration of an individual baby’s position.

More than one pathway

Labour and birth can include induction, pain relief, assisted birth or caesarean care. These are not failures of a movement pattern. Your maternity team can explain what is happening in your own situation.

This is general education, not advice about your body, baby or clinical care. Your maternity team can discuss your own circumstances with you.