Anterior

In front of, usually with reference to the front part of the body. Often used in association with the term 'anterior presentation' or 'occiput anterior' (OA). Usually, babies are born with the back of the head or occiput pointed up or slightly to the left or right side. It is as if the child was looking at the floor during emergence from the birth canal. This is the best position in most cases since it allows the child to negotiate more easily the turns required to get through the mother's pelvis and birth canal. If the baby presents in the birth canal with the occiput anterior and to the left it is called an LOA (left occiput anterior) presentation. If the occiput is anterior and to the right, it is called ROA (right occiput anterior).