fetal position

American  

noun

1. a bodily posture resembling that of the fetus in the uterus, in which the body is curled with head and limbs drawn in, sometimes assumed in states of fear or emotional withdrawal.

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fetal position British  

noun

1. a bodily position similar to that of a fetus in the womb, with the knees up towards the chest and the head bent forward

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Etymology

Origin of fetal position

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

"I get into bed in the fetal position and my shoulder is absolutely killing me."

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

He was right: There was something eerily peaceful about the grid of women folded in fetal position.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

“But I’m not going to sit back any longer in a position, a fetal position, in a position of weakness, when in fact California could demonstrably advance strength and that’s what we intend to do.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2025

In “Unemployment,” life-size sculptures of office workers curled up in the fetal position are wrapped in transparent plastic trash bags, gesturing at the disposability of human labor.

From New York Times • Feb. 23, 2024

I’ve peeked in on her enough mornings recently to know that she’s probably lying in the fetal position and that if I ask when she’s going to get up, she’ll say, “Soon.”

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden