View Full Version : pelvic bone structure??
Hi all
New mum / new member
had an emergency ceaser after long drawn out labor
this was due to the bone structure in my pelvis - flat pubic bone or something like that.... apparently this is something that is unable to be picked up until you are in labor (and in my case fully dialed and up to the pushing stage)
Ive been told I'll never be able to have a natural birth - which doesnt phase me out too much as I went thru 36hours of labor - 4 spent pushing - so i figure that Ive done enough labor to last a life time. I think that I was only a little shocked cause Im not a small woman - curvey size 16.... I always conciderd myself to have 'good child baring hips'
just wanted to know if anyone else has the same 'condition' ??
BB
Hi,
I don't have the same condition, so I can't offer any support on that front sorry. But I do know that physical size(eg 16,18) isn't an indication that childbirth will be easy. My OB actually sent me for a pelvic x ray several weeks before my dd was due just to make sure that my pelvis could accommodate her.
its funny about the asumptions that we make in life,
I just always thought that I could have a natural birth,
I find it interesting that you were sent for an x-ray - was your baby not engaged? or just a fluke that your OB sent you there?
As Roxy was fully engaged
Hi there,
I had my son Patrick 11 days ago and like you am a curvy size 16 and thought I would have no dramas with natural childbirth - has been the one consoling thought about having these hips. However after being induced for 17 hours ( 5 hours full on contractions) I only dilated 1 cm and Paddy's head would not engage. I was told by my Ob. after ending up having a caesarean, as it realistically didn't look like I was ever going to give birth naturally to my boofy headed boy, that my pelvis was not big enough from front to back -not side to side so had nothing to do with my hip size.
You poor thing with you 36 hour labour -4 hours of pushing is a bloody long time. You must have been exhausted. At least our babies are out and safe and I personally have no qualms about my decision to have the caesarean and am highly likely to have to do it again (didn't think about my husbands round head and broad shoulders when conceiving - likely to always have decent size babies -Paddy was 9lb,1.5oz). Hope all is going well with you.
Cath
You might like to read this.
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/pelvis.asp
I'm not saying it's impossible but I'm saying it's pretty unlikely that you have a defective pelvis. You would also benefit from the Pink Kit which teaches you how to understand the shape of your individual pelvis and work with it to maximise your birthing potential. You can buy it in Australia and many birth support groups are also happy to lend it out.
http://www.birthingbetter.com/
Petal80,
My OB sent me because he said he liked to explore all avenues. After much discussion I decided to have the x rays done. Pelvis was fine, but after 41+ weeks of pregnancy dd was not engaged and my cervic was still not ready.
cath
glad to hear you went thru the same thing - well not glad but you know what I mean :)
Roxy was 9lb 11oz -
Yes I was so exhusted at the end of my labor (which is another reason for the ceasar) but I kept pushing myself along thru it. I went on thurday 8pm night and was induced with the gel - contractions started at 1am Friday morning - long story short - it took forever for me to dialate, they broke my waters (ouch) and used the drip etc etc - got down to saturdy morning was fully diatalted - started to push ... but after almost 4hours the midwife my OB and I decided that it wasnt working - they explained the problem with my pubic bone to me and roxy had also shifted position a bit too + I was exhusted - so ceasar it was.
and once they say your having a c-section its pretty quick from there .. as you would know :D
Mamaduke
08-11-2005, 23:29
Janetf,
You are dangerous.
According to you, no one has any excuse for having a c/s and everyone should try vbacs and natural births regardless of what specialists have said.
You need to be careful about what you preach and the messages you are conveying to people.
You can't just assume that because you prefer it (a natural birth), then that is what's best for others.
I wonder if you were legally bound to your opinions and advice (as doctors and specialists are), if you would be so forthcoming and adamant.
Carly
mama to...
Jesse 4
Lucas 16mths
- my two beautiful c/s boys!!!!
Kaileysmum
09-11-2005, 11:28
HI
Id just like to say Petal80 my story is exactly like yours, except I never had any induction drugs, mine was all myself. I had my bub 4.5 weeks ago, she was a beautiful 8lb2oz. I was in labour fo 36 hrs, I pushed for 3.5 hrs and she didnt move at all, she was stuck at station -1 :eek: . So I ended up with a em C/S. They have told me that my pelvis is a funny shape and I shouldn't try labour again. In my case they said to me that my OB should have picked up that there was something wrong as I hadnt engaged at all (first bub) and I was 9 days over due, so I shouldnt have had to go through that horrible long labour. Also I had a bad time in my C/S as I lost over a litre of blood and my uterus stopped contracting as it went into trama(sp?)/shock from such a long labour and they had to manipulate it by hand, clean it out and seal off all the blood vessles themselves. The whole C/S took 1.5hrs they usually take 20mins total. What Im saying is that I won't ever a VBAC, because I know that my body can't do it. Im a size 16 I have what you'd look at as big hips, I think some women just can't have babys naturally, thats probably why so many women died from child birth 100's of years ago, because their bodys couldn't do it.
Well that's just my view, everyone is has the right to their own view on things, and to make their own decisions based on how they feel not on how other people feel.
DD: Kailey 9/10/05 :p
madvoice
10-11-2005, 21:30
Janetf,
You are dangerous.
According to you, no one has any excuse for having a c/s and everyone should try vbacs and natural births regardless of what specialists have said.
You need to be careful about what you preach and the messages you are conveying to people.
You can't just assume that because you prefer it (a natural birth), then that is what's best for others.
I wonder if you were legally bound to your opinions and advice (as doctors and specialists are), if you would be so forthcoming and adamant.
Carly
mama to...
Jesse 4
Lucas 16mths
- my two beautiful c/s boys!!!!
Hear Hear. These blatant IN YOUR FACE so called 'facts' are starting to drive me insane. I'm sure there are others that feel the same. I was rather well informed about my decision and I too had a small pelvic opening and I'm a 'curvy' 16. Bub also had a 37.5cm head. So maybe JanetF you should learn to relax and accept that some people have different ideas from your own.
ewells1983 & madvoice thanks so much for sharing your story with me - its conforting to know that there are other women like 'me' out there
I just wasnt sure if it was all normal,
Ewells1983 I can TOTALLY understand your labor - you POOR thing, its a ruff time and all that pushing aswell - Im sorry that your c-section wasnt straight forward as well - but like me Im sure you look at your little one and relise it was ALL worth it! :)
Kaileysmum
11-11-2005, 11:36
Hey
petel80, Im glad my story helped you and yes looking at my baby girl makes me so happy and I would do it all again if I had to, but I will definatly have a elective C/S next time, I do not feel anyway a failure for not giving birth naturally!!!
Also to madvoice and Carlyb, I totally agree with what you are saying, I think that people who arent medically trained in the area shouldn't be pushing their believes with these 'Facts', as it could be effecting peoples decisions, and going against what people have been advised medically. Everyone has their right to their own opinion, but sometimes people push their opinion to much. But I do understand that JanetF is just tring to help others in their decisions and probably doesnt mean to come across so 'in your face' with her opinions and research.
My story is that DS's head wasn't engaging (he'd gone up and down and up and down without ever being really down - IYKWIM). I was sent for a pelvic CT before my ob decided that a caesar would be mine (and bub's) best option. I was so upset at the time as I felt a natural birth was the only real way to go - I'd done antenatal yoga, had eaten the right foods, done the right exercise and had genetically big hips (all my family joke about our female's childbearing hips).
I had worried about the fact that I was with a shared care option in a private hosptial and everyone said don't go private as they do so many more caesars than are warranted. End story is that my OB said that it's the internal diameter of your pelvis that counts. (Mine is apparently about 9cm and my OB is reluctant to "naturally" deliver a baby to a woman who has a diameter less than 11cm). As for choice - he did give me some, but pointed out that I might labour for 10hours or so and then still need "interference" - forceps, vacuum, caesar...after which both Bub and I would be 'past it'. I went through so many emotions about why couldn't I deliver naturally and many tears later the penny dropped that my OB had been saying that not all mothers always have been able to deliver naturally - some have died! :eek: Women and/or their bubs still die as a result of childbirth.
At the end of the day I'm ok with the diagnosis that I was given of CPD (Cephalic Pelvic Disproportion - hips too small for head), but I will be investigating VBAC. Although my OB said I'd probably never be able to have a vaginal birth- guess I'm a hard nut to convince (although in all probability I'll have to have a C-section again and in all honesty does it really matter how bub is delivered so long as we're both healthy. BTW my sister who has the same hips as me to look at had to have a caesar for her first as she had HELLP syndrome and ended up with blood transfusions, bub was resuscitated and she didn't see bub for 3days - all is now well and she just had bub 2, c-section again - they were worried about her blood pressure, but bub was also not engaging and was presenting posteriorly.
Sorry for the rant but - Bottom line is some women won't be able to deliver "naturally" - these women, quite likely may have died in years gone past or their bub's may have ended up with developmental probs or other. So petal and others be confident in your deliveries and guiltfree.
I've posted my little sage in other threads along this same line so I won't bore you all again. But I do have to say that my Mum thanks the heavens for the gift of ceasarian births, as she went into a natural labour with my eldest brother (though she SAYS it wasn't painful) and after 10 mins in the hospital was rushed to theatre for an em c-sect .... my brother's heart had stopped he was so distressed as he was stuck in the birth canal with no way up or down. Needless to say (since I talk of my eldest brother) he was resucitated but my Mum was convinced that he was dead ... as she didn't see him for a week due to the trauma of his birth and the heamoraging (sp?) she experienced. She has a rigid pelvis ... I'm guessing this is similar to the condition you are facing (I too have a semi-rigid pelvis but that is all I have ever heard it described as).
I'm just glad that our c-sect scars now run lengthwise as my Mum has a zip like scar running from naval to pubic bone and it really is a war wound.
Mother Duck
11-11-2005, 23:13
Hello all - 36 hr labours oh my golly gosh, if you ever want to take up marathons you have the right mindset!
Not that it is any of my business but could I just comment....
Who cares VB or CS - Healthy baby - Hooray!! And Congratulations !!
I think though in reading back at the posts Janet was just trying to offer additional info rather than tell anyone what they should be doing. It seems to me that some people (generalising there - noone specific) feel concerned that OB's may not be giving us all the info or totally true info.
Just a comment - hope y'all don't mind. :o
pegasus
I totaly agree with you! I actually said to my husband not long after I got out of hospital "thank god we live in the age we live in - I and our daughter would have died during childbirth if I wasnt able to have a c-section" and thats a scary thought.
BB
Hi there,
I'm expecting on 4th July 2006 and will have another ceasaren birth. Sometimes the way our babies are to be born are taken out of our hands; we don't have control over everything and sometimes the reason we have to have a ceaseran is because it would literally be fatal for us to birth vaginally.
First time 'round I was keen on having a natural birth with midwifes. Although, as my pregnancy progressed I was having probelms with pre-eclampsia and my baby boy was "big" so I had to transfer pre-natal care to the hospital. I was admitted to hospital for pre-eclampsia 26-01-96; once in the ward I had tests and it seemed that my uterus wasn't even contracting at all. Iductions started on the 28-01-96, I finally went into full on labour 30-01-96...I was walking and pacing trying to encourage my cervix to open fully, when I was checked 2 hours later my blood pressure soared through the roof it was dangerously high and endangering my life. I was told I would have to have a epidural {to lower my blood pressure} and stay in bed. I understood the health risks but as a soon-to-be-mummy I felt like I had failed. After being in labour 16 hours, with a fetal monitor, induction drip turned up to max, bed riden I was only 5cm dilated. I spoke to the intern OB as she was surprised they didn't order a ceasaren 4 days previous. I explaned how I felt and that I had stopped dilating which at that stage I had and that I knew a natural birth was now out of the question and didn't want the decision to have a ceasaren prolonged. Within an hour; I had being shaved, preped and with a smile wheeled up to theatre. My baby boy was born 01-13am on the 31st January 1996 weighing 4.2kg's 52cm long. The lovely intern OB explaned the next day on the ward that with a head circumfrance of 38cms and my pelvis being small that there was no way in the world he could have being born vaginally. She said that I had CPD {cephalic pelvis disporportion} and that I would need to have ceaseran's each time I became pregnant.
Do they do elective ceaseran's 2 weeks early as a rule?? or do they do them on due dates??
I think that c/section dates depend on what ob and hospital you go to. Some hospitals only have a few days a month scheduled for elective c/sections whereas others fit you in some time in the 2 weeks before your due date.
In NZ, they try to make it as close as possible to your due dae and sometimes you don't know what date you are going to have your c/section until a couple of days before. You can get a fixed date, but those tend to be a bit on the early side and they like to be able to keep bubs inside for as long as possible so that they are more ready for birth and need less post natal care.
My obs is saying that as I am due on the 17th feb he would do the c-sect on the 6th - 13th Feb .... my choice.
When my mum had us three kids (back in the hay days!!) all c-sect they "took" or birthed the babies 10 days prior ... don't know why but it seems this is still current practice.
As my ob said I'd have to have a c-section again - I asked him and he said that they like about 38 wks as a baby is said to be full term at 38 weeks (to 42weeks), but apparently does an absolute heap of growing in the 40th week (when you're 39wks) so they like to get bub out before they have to make that scar any bigger. ;)
Because I see that there has been some 'issues' raised in this thread I'm going to tell a little bit of my birth story here to shed some light on why exploring *all* our options and allowing all opinions to be expressed is a good positive thing. (regardless of whether we agree or disagree, are soothed or scared by other's stories / opinions / posts)
After 20 hours of labour I had a caesarean. I was bullied into it. I was told that I needed to have it 'before my baby went into distress', this after 18 hours of unhelpful comments like "you've been at this a while haven't you dear, and you just don't feel like you're getting anywhere do you?" among other things. My ob. told me on day 4 (the first day he deigned to appear) that I had CPD and could vaginally birth a *smaller* baby but not one that big again. (my DD was 10 lb 7 oz)
However...
I know NOW that I had other complications causing me to be in more pain that strictly necessary also I now give full credit to my body's 'flight or fight' response - I felt nothing but frightened, negative and unsupported and unsafe in the hospital - and therefore 'held' my baby in. I have researched this and know its possible. I'm not claiming that all mothers do it, or should do it or anything. Just letting others know I don't need a debate started on the whole fight or flight thing. If you disagree with my conclusions about my own labour, please I don't need to hear it - just take your disagreement and do your own research, or simmer quietly to yourself!
Also I am the lucky owner of a CT scan of my body as at 7 months post-labour post-caesarean. And I find I have a pretty 'small' pelvis (according to obstetric information anyway) at JUST under 10cm diagonally! This CT scan was taken with me lying flat on my back, breath held.
It is well documented among midwifery & birth research that the pelvis is up to 3cm (I think its 3 could be 2cm) more and less open depending on the positioning of said pelvis. Roughly translated that means that my pelvis *was* big enough to birth my daughter's giant head, as long as I was in an open-pelvis position such as squatting.
Also the article that Janet linked was a very good one, there is nothing to abuse about the link...in the opening paragraph it states
. Pelvises open at three stretch points—the symphisis pubis and the two sacroiliac joints.
This is a known fact - ask any physio. Pelvis's are flexible (or are meant to be) at these joints. Obviously there are mitigating factors for everyone's pelvis.
I'm not saying that anyone who has been told they have CPD and choose a second elective CS is wrong. Thats YOUR choice! I'm saying that *some* of us who in hindsight see how we allowed ourselves to be manoevered into caesareans we didn't want or need (my DD had apgars of 9 and 10 - she was not in ANY danger) who are reading this information can benefit greatly from the glimmer of hope given by posts that permit us to recognise and explore our innner truths - that we are able to choose vaginal birth without fear of baby 'getting stuck'
That is my story. That has been my journey of hope and healing. Because of people like Janet I have grabbed hold of my 'life-raft' and now am more confident of my future birth choices and options.
For me having a caesarean was a physically, mentally and emotionally devastating experience. I am healed by realising how I went wrong, who I believed when I shouldn't have etc etc. Now I am just praying my DH can also recover from HIS traumatic experience - he is still experiencing severe Post-traumatic side effects from the caesarean that didn't need to be (except to help me wise up for next time)
Kat
(I am not a doctor, nor medically trained. I write from the perspective of a woman who is sharing what she's experienced, and researched. Nothing more and nothing less.)
Mother Duck
23-11-2005, 16:25
Kat - thank you for posting your birthing experience
It was well written, even keeled and good of you to share with us.
:)
I wish you best of luck and care with all your future birthing and if it does end up being a CS (for the right reasons not for bullying) well then so be it - once again healthy baby happy mummy!
Janetf,
You are dangerous.
According to you, no one has any excuse for having a c/s and everyone should try vbacs and natural births regardless of what specialists have said.
You need to be careful about what you preach and the messages you are conveying to people.
You can't just assume that because you prefer it (a natural birth), then that is what's best for others.
I wonder if you were legally bound to your opinions and advice (as doctors and specialists are), if you would be so forthcoming and adamant.
Carly
mama to...
Jesse 4
Lucas 16mths
- my two beautiful c/s boys!!!!
I think we are all entitled to our opinion. I like to hear both sides of the story and appreciate JanetF's input in some threads.
JanetF keep those posts coming! You inspire me! :)
Elliejoy
24-11-2005, 01:00
I just found these boards while doing some research for a talk on c-secs Iam going to be chairing at my local Birth Support group in a couple of weeks time.
I Am a proud mother of 3 beauiful children, and I thank God evey day for modern medicine and c-secs. I have CDP , and dispite the small size of all 3 of my children when they were born there was no way they were ever going to come out the "usual" way. My first son was in foetal distress before my labour even began. We know this because mywater broke, at home before my contractions started, and it was mecconium stained. I went in to hospital, and my OB said we would kick the labour up a few notches withthe oxytocin drip as we knew he was already in some kind of distress, it would be best to get things happening ... which I agreed to. After 5 hours of intense painful contractions that were 3 mins apart, I had asolutely no dialation at all, and my cervix was still long, hard, and closed tight. NO progress. My son's hear rate was dropping more and more , and it was decided to do a c-sec. Fine by me.. I don't want to take chances with my baby's life. Recovery was hard.. I was in shock, Ihadn't expected to end up having a c-sec, being a very well read person, I knew my choices and options, but labour was just not working for me. when I had my 6 week check up, my OB sent me for a ct scan to measure my pelvis, and it was discovered from that scan my pelvis was indeed small, and my son had been stuck half way down. His head never fully engaged, and was unable to even reach the cervix to put pressure on it to aid in dialation. He was born with a pointy head, which went down over the next couple of days. Iwas crushed, devistated and in shock that I was never going to get that vaginal delivery everyone tells you that is essential to being a real woman.
I went on to have 2 more children (so far) both delivered by c-sec, and Iwouldn't change that for anything.
coming to terms with being UNABLE to deliver vaginally was hard, and is still something I struggle with a lot.
Some women are able to have a VBAC, and I am pleased for them , but for some of us, it's dangerous to do so.. our babies lived depend on being delivered by c-sec.
My kids, as I said, were small, my first(now 8 years old) was 2640 grams ( 5 lb 13 oz) , my 2nd, a girl (now 6 years old) was 2280 grams ( 5 pounds) and my 2nd son (who is now 3 months old) was 2730 grams ( 6 pounds).
Now if my health professional reccomended that for the life of my child, I not try to have a VBAC, I am going to listen to them! I hate to think what could happen if I didn't listen to their advice and went ahead trying for that all important vaginal deivery. C-sec mums are STILL mothers, we are not "inferior" in any way, and I am beginning to resent women who have never wakled in our shoes telling us we have had it easy, or we should try for a vaginal delivery.
rynosmum
24-11-2005, 06:11
coming to terms with being UNABLE to deliver vaginally was hard, and is still something I struggle with a lot.
Hi Elliejoy, the real fact is that you have 3 beautiful children that you nutured through pregnancy and then birthed into this world. You are now guiding them through their childhood to one day be loving and responsible adults.
So much pressure is put on mums to birth in the 'correct' way - but what is that ? I delivered vaginally but had an epi and vacuum extraction - so according to many, not a natural birth either. We are all mums - we all experience the same high and elation when our children are born and the same highs and lows through their upbringing.
As I always say, more support for Mums - no matter how we get there ! I really don't think that you should have to come to terms with anything. You successfully birthed three beautiful children - that's fantastic !! :D
I just found these boards while doing some research for a talk on c-secs Iam going to be chairing at my local Birth Support group in a couple of weeks time
Hi Elliejoy :) How excellent that you're sharing your experiences of obstetric care with others. Can I ask what support group it is? I am building a database of Australian groups so I'm always keen to add one I don't have yet. TIA.
While my situation was different to yours Kat, I totally agree with your fight or flight response.
To cut a long story short I was terrified of a vaginal birth, and really wanted a caesar. During the course of my pregnancy people slowly eroded my confidence in my decision, and I then felt pressured into trying for a vb.
Well 10 days overdue, and still no sign of my little one wanting to enter the world. I was booked in for an induction, was given two doses of the gel, and still absolutely NO action. My OB then suggested a c section, and I felt so relieved. I did not feel scared or uncertain any more.
Like you, I believe that my fear helped me to hold my baby in, despite all outside intervention. I felt that the power of my mind combined with my fear hindered me from giving birth vaginally (which is what I was most terrified of).
DoulaFelicity
24-11-2005, 16:25
Like you, I believe that my fear helped me to hold my baby in, despite all outside intervention. I felt that the power of my mind combined with my fear hindered me from giving birth vaginally (which is what I was most terrified of).
How truly wonderful that you have achieved such insight and self awareness. :) I had to pop in and express my admiration for that - it's by no means easy to reach that stage.
Fear of labour is not uncommon; there are gentle ways and means of dealing with it. It can be explored and overcome (and we're all afraid of the unknown to some extent - childbirth being the greatest unknown we face as women!).
For support, information, or ideas on the topic of fear of labour, fight or flight, and techniques for overcoming/managing these things, check out the following sites:-
http://www.pregnancy.com.au/labour_hormones.htm
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/hormones.html
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/birthjoy.html
http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregnancy_birth/birth_preparation/ecstatic.html
Sending you warm thoughts and healing vibes, for an ongoing journey of self discovery that will lead you to a place without fear. :)
Blessings,
Thanks for that Felicity, interesting links.
If a bub #2 comes along, I feel a lot more confident in sticking to my decisions. I know that second time around I will not allow myself to be swayed by others. I know what I want, and I will be getting it. :)
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.1.9 Copyright © 2013 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.