Baby position - what difference does it make?

[1Catherine1]

This might be a really silly question but I'm sure someone could answer it for me.

I get why head down is better than breech - seems rather common sense that that might be easier to get the big hard bit out first . My question is why does it matter if the baby is on the left or the right?

36 weeks tomorrow and had my MW appointment yesterday where MW investigated LO's position. She seemed pleased that LO was now head down but not so pleased that her back is on my right side rather than my left side. I know I should have asked then but I didn't and now I'm left wondering. She reminded me that I should be sleeping on my left and I do for 6 hours a night but then my left side aches like mad and I turn over onto my right for 2 hours.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

not entirely sure about the left / right thing but exact position can make a huge difference to the birth. DS's head was apparently just slightly off where it needed to be and the induced contractions didn't bring the pressure to bear on my cervix hence I didn't dilate enough and ended up with CS. Sorry can't be more specific.

the left/right thing has something to do with your baby rotating when it is coming out. there is a brilliant video somewhere that shows the rotation of the head and shoulders as it has to pass through the various parts of your anatomy, and depending on where your baby is facing it either has to do a tiny twist or almost a full turn.
(does any of that make sense? I know what I mean, I'm just rubbish at explaining. sorry!)

I think, please don't quote me on this but with my DS, the mw said the same to me. If baby is head down but on the right side you could have a back to back labour. Which I had and we are both fine :) so don't worry.
Back to back did hurt but more to do with feeling there was a lot of pressure down there. Sitting down wasn't very comfy at all. The pressure felt like it was all in my bottom and lower back

If it were me I would bounce on my ball and no sleeping on the right.
Really hope I havent freaked you out!

HTH.

Oh yeah and DS came out with his head facing the door, like he wanted to leave.