Fetal position & pelvisFree in the app
Face, brow & abnormal lie
Deflexed presentations and what they mean for birth.
Source: StatPearls · GLOWMPresentation
| Face | 1 in 600–800. Mentum anterior: usually delivers vaginally. Persistent mentum posterior: cannot — caesarean. |
|---|---|
| Brow | Mentovertical 13–13.5 cm can’t engage; may convert to face/vertex; persistent = caesarean. |
| Compound | Hand beside head (~1 in 1500); often resolves. |
| Transverse lie | ~1 in 833 at birth — caesarean if persists in labour. |
| Unstable lie | Lie keeps changing after 37 weeks — admit near term, cord prolapse risk. |
Face presentation: no fetal scalp electrode (eyes).
A summary for trained clinicians. Always check the full guideline, the patient in front of you and your hospital's protocol. Spotted an error? Tell us.