fetal position
Knees-to-chest posture
The fetal position is a curled-up body posture—knees drawn to chest, spine curved, head tucked—resembling an unborn baby in the womb.
People naturally assume this position for warmth or comfort: She curled into the fetal position and fell asleep.
It often suggests vulnerability or self-protection: He lay in the fetal position after the attack.
Protection from threat
- safetyFreedom from harm
- protectionGuarding against harm
- cocoonSilk wrapping for transformation
- shelterProtected place or structure
warmth · snuggle · nestle · soothe · self-soothing · calm · rest · sleep
Fetal development organ
newborn · ultrasound · gestation · uterus · pregnancy · birth · infantile · regression
security
Protection from threat
- safetyFreedom from harm
- protectionGuarding against harm
- cocoonSilk wrapping for transformation
shelter · warmth · snuggle · nestle · soothe · self-soothing · calm · rest · sleep · nap
womb
Fetal development organ
baby · newborn · ultrasound · gestation · uterus · pregnancy · birth · infantile · regression · primal
curl
Spiral or loop form
ball · scrunch · coil · compact · curl up · draw in · pull in · arms crossed · side-lying · contraction
withdrawal
Act of taking away
hiding · fear · anxiety · trauma · shock · overwhelm · distress · pain · grief · crying
- sleepsleep, sleeping, nap, doze, slumber
- pregnancypregnancy, pregnant, prenatal care, due date, weeks
- defensive gesturesflinching, cowering, cringing, ducking, recoiling
- posesstanding pose, sitting pose, seated pose, kneeling pose, reclining pose
- posture expressionsslouch, slump, hunch, stoop, stand tall
- curl upball, tuck, coil, nestle, snuggle
fetal positionspread-eagle
Limbs extended in X-shape
spread eagle · spread-eagled · stretched out · sprawling · arms akimbo
fetal positionpower pose
Assertive body positioning
victory pose · open arms · standing tall · chest out · standing one's ground
position, opposition, composition, disposition, positioning, positions, proposition, imposition, deposition