[Changing fetal position through maternal posture].

The fetal position of 249 cases in their late pregnancy was detected by ultrasound. The results showed that the position of fetal spine tended to lie on the same side as mother's posture during bedrest just before examination. Fetal posterior or transverse spinal position was prone to occur when mother was on her supine position. The fetal cephalic presentation did not correspond entirely with the fetal spinal position. Eighty of the 249 cases presenting fetal spinal posterior or transverse position were chosen at random and corrected by Sims' or hand-knee posture. The better results were obtained especially by the latter. The success rate of correction by maternal posture was affected by the engagement of fetal head and the volume of amniotic fluid. The mechanism of hand-knee posture was discussed. The result indicated that maternal posturing is a clinically valuable procedure. It may be done during pregnancy or in labor to prevent fetal malpresentation.