Most women have a wider pelvis than Men. It aims to facilitate the process of pregnancy and childbirth. However, there are part woman who own narrow pelvis. Pelvic shape like this berpotential to complicate normal delivery.
The shape of the female pelvis is generally wider and wider and flexible. The pelvis has many functions, one of which is as an outlet for the baby during labor. Therefore, the size and condition of the pelvis also affect the birth process.
Characteristics of Owners of Narrow Hips
A woman's narrow pelvis can be caused by several factors, including:
- Pelvic deformity due to birth defects.
- Genetic factors (having a mother with a narrow pelvis).
- Women with height less than 145 cm.
- Pelvic injury due to a clinical condition, such as a hip fracture, hip fracture, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic inflammation, or a pelvic tumor.
- Androgen hormone levels in the body are excessive and cause a small pelvis.
- Malnutrition.
- Bone disorders, such as rickets and osteomalacia that cause abnormal pelvic bones.
Narrow pelvic conditions caused by congenital factors are generally difficult to prevent. Meanwhile, a narrow pelvis due to other factors can be avoided, one of which is to prevent injury to the pelvis. This can be done by:
- Be careful when driving.
- Wearing personal protective equipment when working or doing activities that have a risk of causing hip injury.
- Perform regular pelvic and reproductive organ examinations.
- Do Kegel exercises regularly.
Risk of Narrow Pelvis in Labor
The pelvis is the birth canal for the fetus to exit the vagina during the birth process. A mother who has a narrow pelvis may find it difficult to have a normal delivery because of the risks cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD).
CPD is a discrepancy between the size of the baby's head and the size of the mother's pelvis that will become the birth canal. This condition occurs when the size of the mother's pelvis is narrow, so it is not suitable for the fetus to pass when it is about to be born. If this happens, then the risk of prolonged or stuck labor will be higher.
This condition can cause the baby's head to be compressed and the baby's skull to be squeezed, thereby triggering a brain hemorrhage that can endanger the baby's condition. Prolonged labor is also at risk of causing fetal distress.
Besides being dangerous for the fetus, mothers with narrow pelvis are also more at risk of experiencing a number of complications during normal delivery, such as heavy bleeding and uterine injury.
Because of the high risk of endangering the condition of the fetus and mother, most pregnant women who have a narrow pelvis are advised to give birth by caesarean section. Through this method of delivery, the baby will be removed directly from the uterus and not through the pelvis or birth canal.
Can Mothers with Narrow Hips Give Normal Birth?
Mothers with narrow pelvis still have the opportunity to give birth normally. However, this depends on the condition of the mother and the weight or size of the fetus in the womb. To increase the chances of a normal delivery, mothers who have a narrow pelvis as much as possible should maintain their weight so they are not obese. When pregnant, reduce sugary snacks because they can increase the risk of giving birth to a large baby.
To determine whether the mother has a narrow pelvis or not, a pelvic examination by a gynecologist is required. This examination includes a physical examination and investigations, such as a pelvic ultrasound.
Pelvic ultrasound aims to see the condition of the organs and structures inside a woman's pelvis, such as the muscles, blood vessels, and connective tissue that support the pelvis.
The shape of the mother's pelvis is one of the important parameters for doctors or midwives in determining a safe delivery method for the mother and fetus. Therefore, it is important to do regular pregnancy check-ups to the obstetrician.
If the narrow pelvis is detected early, the doctor may advise the mother to give birth by caesarean section so that the birth process can run more smoothly.
