Baby facing sideways. Problem?

[somewherewest]

I'm 36 weeks pregnant and the baby has been head down and facing sideways (face towards my right arm, back towards my left arm) for the last six weeks. My usual midwife seemed to think this was a problem and gave me some exercises to try and turn him, but today's (trainee) midwife told me it was a perfectly good position for delivery. I'm now a bit confused. Any advice?

My baby won't do anything but face sideways. He swaps sides regularly, but I've never had him in the 'proper' position yet. I think it's a worry if they turn back to back for labour, but when I spoke to my MW about it she said that they change so much before labour anyway, where they are now has little to do with it (I'm 39+3). She said crawling will help open up the space so they can turn, but even when I do this, he just swaps sides, so I've decided to wait and see. 1 in 10 babies start labour back to back (I read somewhere), but most turn the right way before it starts.

I don't think sideways necessarily presents a major problem. I'm 38wks with my 4th and he's currently back to back, (or was yesterday at least!) Is this your 1st child? I'm lead to believe that often the more kids you have the less likely baby is to settle in one position for very long before the onset of labour. (That includes head engagement.) This baby for me has been swapping sides and bouncing in and out of engagement! Time before last he was only 1/5 palpable (4/5th's engaged) and yesterday he was just 2/5th's engaged!
As long as they head down I wouldn't over stress about it. Good luck! :)