# Perinatal Outcomes and Level of Labour Difficulty in Deliveries with Right and Left Foetal Position—A Preliminary Study

## TL;DR

This study shows that right fetal positioning during birth leads to more difficult labors and worse outcomes compared to left positioning.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into how fetal position affects labor difficulty and perinatal outcomes in low-risk women.

## Key findings

- Right fetal positioning was associated with longer and less progressive labors compared to left positioning.
- Epidural use was more common in right fetal positioning cases.
- Both women and midwives rated right fetal positioning deliveries as more difficult.

## Abstract

Background: Many studies have shown the negative influence of the foetus’s occiput posterior position during birth on the final perinatal outcome. This study aims to add to the discussion on the impact of foetus positioning on the course of labour and subjective assessment of the level of labour difficulty. Methods: The cross-sectional study took place from February 2020 to September 2021, and consisted of filling out observation forms and the assessment by the midwives and women of the level of labour difficulty. This study is based on the observation of 152 labours in low-risk women. Findings: When compared to left foetal positioning, labours in which the foetus was in the right position were longer and more frequently failed to progress (in 11.3% vs. 37.5%), and epidural was more frequently administrated (in 30.4% vs. 52.7%). Both women and midwives subjectively evaluated deliveries with a foetus in the right position as more difficult. Conclusions: The right positioning of the foetus was related to greater labour difficulty and worse perinatal outcomes. The position of the foetus’ head in relation to the pelvis should be considered as an indicator of the difficulty of labour and a support plan for the woman should be offered accordingly.