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Written by

Gina Conley, MS

What Is Fetal Station? The 3 Pelvic Levels Explained

  • Birth, Labor Biomechanics
Fetal station helps us understand how high or low baby is in the pelvis! Depending on what station baby is will determine what type of movement patterns we should do to help create more space to facilitate labor progress!
Fetal station helps us understand how high or low baby is in the pelvis! Depending on what station baby is will determine what type of movement patterns we should do to help create more space to facilitate labor progress!

What is Fetal Station??

Fetal station is the measurement of how high or low baby is in the pelvis.  Fetal station is measured by assessing where baby’s presenting portion (usually the head) is in relation to the ischial spines, two bony protrusions on the back of the pelvis.

Fetal station is typically assessed during a cervical exam either during pregnancy or labor.  

Understanding how high or low baby is within the pelvis is better help you understand what positions may be beneficial to facilitate labor progress.

How Fetal Station Numbers Work

If baby is above the ischial spine, they are considered a minus (-) number.  The higher the number, the higher baby is in the pelvis.  Usual stations you may hear are as high as -4, then -3, -2, and -1.  

If baby is at the ischial spine, they are considered zero (0) station.

If baby is below the ischial spine, they are considered a plus (+) number. The higher the number, the lower baby is in the pelvis.  Usual fetal station you may hear are +1, +2, +3, and then your baby’s head is crowning or visible, so no one is really focusing on station anymore.

The Top of the Pelvis: -2 or Higher

If baby is -2 (sometimes -1 depending on the skill of the person doing the cervical check), then baby is considered in the inlet of the pelvis.

If baby is in the inlet of the pelvis, then we want to focus on creating space at the top of the pelvis to help baby engage or enter the pelvis.

This usually involves movements that have wide knees (external rotation of the femur) and a posterior pelvic tilt (tucking the butt underneath).

Childbirth Education Review
Everything in this course was amazing and extremely helpful, especially for first time mamas. It was so nice to be able to complete this course with my partner and have him learn how he can support me throughout labor! He also really enjoyed learning the components of labor, pain management methods, pushing positions and breathing techniques so he is able to help me in every way he can. This was presented in such a fun, interactive and easy to follow way that makes it accessible to all mamas! Although I am an RN and have prior education about L&D, pregnancy/postpartum changes and newborn care, I still learned so much from this course and I am so thankful for it! I feel prepared mentally and physically now more than ever after completing this course to hopefully have an unmedicated birth of our first baby girl in about 3ish-4 weeks! Thank you so much for all the work, time and energy you put into this course. My hubby and I are SO excited and feel so much more prepared 🙂
Childbirth Education Review
Extremely informative and digestible information! I left this course feeling much more informed about what to expect during pregnancy and labor. This information helped me feel more confident as I prepare for labor.
Childbirth Education Review
Such a comprehensive approachable friendly Childbirth Education Course. The anatomy and medical terms are explained well and easy to digest. The course covers all elements necessary and vital for birth. Love all the options on physical exercises, mental preparation, techniques for birth. Thanks heaps! And well done!
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The Middle of the Pelvis: -1 to +1

If baby is -1, 0, or +1 station, they are usually considered to be in the midpelvis.  Sometimes -1 can still be inlet depending on the skill of the person doing the cervical exam, as it is a subjective assessment.

If baby is in the midpelvis, then we want to focus on opening the pelvis asymmetrically, where one side is doing something different than other.  Examples could be lunges or side to side swaying.

This usually involves movements where one leg is in external rotation or internal rotation, and the other leg is neutral.

The Outlet of the Pelvis: +2 or lower

If baby is +2 or lower, or under the pubic bone, then baby is considered to be in the outlet of the pelvis.

If baby is in the outlet, then we want to focus on opening the bottom of the pelvis.  

This usually involves internal rotation of the femurs, or knees in, ankles out.  Remember, knees don’t need to be touching!

Fetal station is how high or low baby is in the pelvis. It is assessed usually through an internal palpation during a cervical exam by a provider or medical professional.  

Fetal station can give you a better clue as to what type of movements you should be doing to help create more space for baby to descend and rotate through the pelvis!

We break down the science of birth, and topics like fetal station, in our childbirth education courses!  We offer our courses in person at our gym in Aberdeen NC and online, completely self-paced with pre-recorded videos!