Pelvis size??

[Peekaboo]

Hope this doesn't come across as a stupid question, just wondering if there is a way to check your pelvis size/shape to see if it is in fact possible to birth vaginally? Obviously x-rays are out of the question as I'm already pregnant. Thanks

[e_p]

it's called pelvimetry and it is NOT evidence based. The ligaments in your pelvis soften during pregnancy and labour and so your pelvis changes shape and expands. Any measurements taken of your pelvis before labour will not reflect the shape or size of your pelvis during labour and birth. If you want a good chance of a VBAC, steer clear of any care providers who tell you that your pelvis is too small and research ways to create space in your pelvis (being active and not restricted to lying in bed during labour is a good start). Good luck!

[jellybean88]

I wouldn't have thought it would make much difference as your pelvis opens up amazingly in labour my size 6 friend quite easily gave birth to 9 lb + babies with no tearing after being told she was too small

[Phteven]

No. there is no way to check your pelvis size because the size of your pelvis is totally different after pregnancy and changes again during labour.

[jellybean88]

Lol onyx damn right your pelvis is different after my size 8 pelvis is now a size 14 pelvis interesting to see what happens after this one

[Indadhanu]

Pelvis' aren't one bone, it's a collection of bones held together with ligaments. The ligaments are made to move and stretch, and the hormone relaxin that is produced in pregnancy facilitates this, so even if you measured you pelvis now, it really has no bearing on what the size will be at birth nor will it show how far it can stretch to accomodate a baby.

If you think there's an issue, which there may be but mostly likely isn't, it's probably better to research pregnancy and labour/birth positions which help the pelvis move and open, rather than getting 'measured'.

[PumpkinZulu]

Has someone told you that you cannot birth naturally? It is actually very rare for someone to have a pelvis that their baby cannot fit through, often it is given as a reason for a difficult birth, when in fact it was a number of other factors at play and nothing to do with your birthing body.

[Calluna]

I know this was posted somewhere here years ago but I cant find that post now. Hopefully it gives you a bit of inspiration

Not safe for work..
http://www.homebirth-only.com/TooSmall/TooSmall.htm

[Peekaboo]

Thanks for all your replies. I've had two previous c-sections. My first I was 10 days overdue, meconium in the waters, synto drip, epidural, pushing ineffectively, baby stuck, c-section. My second pregnancy EDD was less than 12 months later, it was very hard to find anyone who would support me in a VBAC due to the short time frame between births. I managed to get a late elective c-section date to give myself the best chance to go into labour on my own before hand.

Went into labour 9 days early, went to the hospital when contractions were 4 mins apart, had a VE which showed I was 1cm. They had me all hooked up to monitors, and asked what I wanted to do. I opted for the c-section. The had to wait for a theatre to be ready, so I spent the next 3hrs stuck on the bed still hooked up to the monitor. In that time I fully dilated and my waters broke so they let me start pushing. Pushed for approx 45mins, baby's heart rate was dropping quite low, so they told me to stop pushing, said baby wasn't fitting, and emergency c-section it was.

I'm guessing I will be referred to the high risk clinic at the hospital, but at the moment I'm torn between VBA2C or 'taking the easy way out' and having an elective!

[HotI]

i found it really helpful to debrief my first birth with a private midwife prior to my recent birth. Is this something you would like to do? Some hospitals also offer this service.

[Jaycee]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say there are women who can not birth naturally due to pelvis size and I believe I am one of them.

DS1 was 2.8kg and had to be assisted with the vaccuum as he got stuck and wouldn't "come around the bend". I believe the only reason I delivered him vaginally was due to his small size.

DS2 was 3.8kg and there was no way he was coming out, even with the assistance of the vac. After a 10 hour labour and 2 hours of pushing I ended up with an emergency c/s.

My pelvis just doesn't seem conducive to natural birth

[BellyBelly]

Jaycee, your first bubba seems to be a smaller bub, did you have any pain relief? Pushing/labouring on your back? Epidurals especially make it really hard to push or know what you're doing, especially for your first. Generally unless you've had an accident with the pelvis or a medical condition, your pelvis is designed to birth babies. Its just the *way* we birth babies that is the problem most of the time, but of course there are always exceptions. Squatting gives you around 30% more pelvic space, lying down on your back closes it up - worst position to labour and push in. My bubba was a bugger lol her head was transverse even when fully dilated (the midwives could feel gaps of space either side of her head!), and she had an arm up at almost 4.5kgs... Got her out, much bigger than my other two (5lb 15oz, 6lb 10) and I realised size isnt nearly anywhere near the matter that we think. So much is doable. Being active in labour (and I now conclude in pregnancy too, I was too inactive!) is sooo important.

[BellyBelly]

A couple of articles:

Big Baby? Then You Must Read This Article...
Twenty years ago, physicians were known to tell women that the reason they had a caesarean was that the child's head was just too big for the size of the pelvis. The trouble began when these same women would stay at home for their next child's birth and give birth to a bigger baby through that same pelvis. This is still happening today.

Small Pelvis? Here's The Truth About Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)
It was a problem long ago and it's still a problem now - women being told that their pelvis is 'too small' for their baby (or baby is big) so they will need a caesarean. Here's the real truth behind the 'small pelvis' phenomenon.

[HotI]

i think there probably are women with pelvis' that make giving birth difficult or impossible, but for most women it is the environment and circumstances (babies position etc) rather than the pelvis size that is of greater influence.

I had vac assistance with an 8lb baby, but birthed a 10lb+ baby without any assistance. For me, he was in a great position for birth, and i was in a great environment and able to move fully to allow him to do the moves he needed to and for my pelvis to open up. I can actually pinpoint the moment when i felt my pelvis open up and allow him through. I did not get that sensation at all first time around.

[~clover~]

Definetely do some research into birthing positions. I know of 2 women who had a c/s because they were told their pelvis was too small & were left labouring for 30 odd hours before the c/s. One was possibly true. My size 6 aunty did birth a child with a very large head. Huge in proportion to his body, but I really don't know the details of the labour to know.

But those women both birthed about 20 years ago. It was common for a woman to be flat on her back & kept there for the entire labour. My mum had trouble birthing me after an induction & epi, & never allowed them again.

Look into active labour & get it to sink in, coz sometimes in labour we forget our research

Oh & try to avoid coached pushing. You do not need to 'push' the baby out when they tell you to. Your body will take over all on its own when it's ready to do so Its a pretty overwhelming feeling & there's no fighting it!