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Examining the different types of pelvises

On Behalf of | Jun 19, 2017 | Birth Injuries, Firm News, Surgical Errors

There are many things that an expectant mother in Providence County can do to help avoid the potential of delivery complications, such as maintaining a healthy weight or taking prenatal vitamins. However, there are also certain factors beyond a mother’s control that can end up impacting their deliveries, as well. One of these is the size and shape of her pelvis.

Clinical research has shown there to be four common types of female pelvises. The website Parent24.com lists these different types (along with impact their size and shape may have on a pregnancy) below:

  • Gynaecoid: The widest and broadest pelvis type, a gynaecoid pelvis is the least likely to cause trauma to an average-size baby.
  • Android: An android pelvis has a heart-shaped brim, thus making it much more narrow in the area of the sub-pubic arch. This can contribute to longer labors, forcing mothers to move around more often to assist with a baby’s descent.
  • Anthropoid: With a wide outlet yet narrow sections in other areas of the pelvic cavity, an anthropoid pelvis type can slow delivery if a baby does not engage in an anterior position.
  •  Platypelloid: The kidney-shaped brim of a platypelloid pelvis type makes it somewhat more difficult for a baby to descend into the mother’s pelvis, yet easier to complete delivery once he or she is in due to its roomy outlet.

Why would it be important for women to know what type of pelvis they may have? Because a baby with a head or body too large to enter the pelvis (a condition the American Pregnancy Association knows as cephalopelvic disproportion) may need to be delivered via C-section. A simple ultrasound done during one’s prenatal care can spot the type of a mother’s pelvis and allow caregivers to plan ahead to avoid unnecessary complications.

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