Small Pelvis

Palomita

So last appointment the OBGYN said I have a small pelvis. And this comes months later after I try to convince myself vaginal delivery isn't so bad!! What are the odds that I'll have a c-section? Baby was 4.6 pounds at 32 week ultrasound and I am at week 34 now.

mama_underpants

Idk, but both my babies have gotten stuck, and they think its cuz I got a smal pelvis. And I think they are gonna push for a csec even I dnt want one. Good luck with your situation, do u want a csec????

Palomita

I think both c-section and vaginal delivery both suck! But I like the idea of having a scheduled time to go into the hospital to have the baby. I think I would worry less!! I can't imagine sitting at home alone waiting for my water to break and labor to begin. Or even worse being induced after forty weeks. Eek!

juliek77

No one mentioned me having a small pelvis until I tried to squeeze my son out for 4 hours. He was born at 35 weeks, I pushed for 4 hours, they used a vacuum that popped off like 5 times and I still ended up with a c-section. He was only 5lbs 8oz and I still couldn't get him out (with lots of help). He ended up in the NICU for 18 days because he had a huge hematoma on his head from the failed vacuum extraction. He now has hydrocephalus and is slightly developmentally delayed. He is 6 1/2 years old. He is the sweetest and happiest little boy ever though!

When I got pregnant with my almost 5 year old daughter, the doctor doing the pap and pelvic on my initial visit told me that my pelvis was small and after hearing about my son's birth, told me it would probably be better to opt for a repeat c/s. It was ultimately my choice but I chose the c/s and I am glad I did. My daughter was also born at 35 weeks but weighed more than a lb more than her brother at 6 lbs. 10 oz. I chose the c/s because I didn't want to go through the experience I had with my son again or put my daughter in danger. I am 18 weeks pregnant with our 3rd and final child and will be opting for another c/s.

I am not trying to scare you in any way but it is the sad truth of my/my son's story. If you opt to try for a vaginal birth (which I recommend if you can!), make sure you have a birth plan saying how long is too long for pushing, any interventions that you do or don't want to have etc. Talk to your doctor alot about it, research it alot and just be informed. Good luck!

gemini_babies

Good thing they found that out now. My cousin went into labor on her due date. She was on no pain medication. While pushing the baby through, her pelvic ligaments rips! She was in so much agony. She had to be on bed rest for 3 months to heal. And then rehabilitate in physical therapy after that. Good luck and have a safe c-section!

BabyRosalee

The pelvis opens up to 30% more if u delivery in a squat or hand and knees position. Talk to ur doc about these options. Have not had a cs but read a lot and odds r better for u if u have vaginal. My natural delivery was great, I squatted on the hospital bed leaning into the back of the bed (propped up). My recovery was so quick.

caroline8_p

I was thinking about that @BabyRosalee it just seems like it would be easier that way, plus gravity will be on your side (well downwards), not going parallel.

Bebita86

@juliek77 im sorry about what happened with your son.. i'm wondering if you regret letting them use the vacuum.. or did they even ask if they could?

juliek77

@Bebita86, I don't remember alot about that day. I don't think it was so much them saying "We think using the vacuum will help, can we do that" but rather just telling me it would help and doing it. I regret it somewhat. If they had used the vacuum within what is acceptable error, probably not at all. Like say if it had popped off once or twice, then they should have just said let's do the section but the doc kept trying and it popped off 5 times. I don't think I should have gotten to 4 hours with little progress at all. Every time I pushed (and I tried many different positions), his head would come out slightly but then go back up when I stopped. On the delivery summary it says the reason for the c/s was cephalopelvic disproportion which means the head is too big to fit through my pelvis. Again, he was only 5 lbs 8 oz and had an average size head for that size.

My sister is a labor and delivery nurse and she was there with me the whole time (with my husband) during my labor and the pushing and eventually the c/s. She has questioned other OB's and neonatalogists and nurses about what happened to us and they have all asked if we are suing the doctor. She sees deliveries that are routine and non routine every day and she has only ever seen a delivery like mine one other time and it was with the same doctor. She has been a nurse for over 10 years.

sands3

I also have a small pelvis but carry large babies. My son was almost 9lbs. I had to have a c section. I'm actually looking forward to a scheduled c section with this one.

Bebita86

@juliek77 wow what happened to u is one of those scary situations that ppl say not to be paranoid because it hardly ever happens but who cares if it hardly ever happens it still happens.. it's stories like yours that really makes me not trust doctors and makes me be really cautious.. i hope u did sue even though it doesnt take back what happened to your son.. some doctors dont care about the damage their carelessness does and they should pay for that.. i wish u luck on this delivery and i hope your experience is so much better.. were u fully dialated when they had you push? maybe you dont remember but that could be another reason he couldnt fit because he wasnt big

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juliek77

@Bebita86, yeah what happened was one of those one in a million sort of cases. We haven't consulted a lawyer but I have be researching it. We actually can't sue as his parents anymore. The statute of limitations ran out on that before we even started thinking about it when he turned 5. We can however sue on behalf of him until he is 18. If we decide to go down that road it won't be for some huge monetary gain but to help with the extra expenses it takes to care for a special needs kid. We are lucky that things didn't end up worse because I have read some real horror stories.

I was fully dialated when I started pushing but they said that my cervix was swollen which is a sign of cephalopelvic disproportion. That should have been an indicator to my nurse and my doc that maybe we shouldn't continue on after a couple hours of pushing with very little progress. I wish they hadn't let me go as long as I did and just did the c/s. My sister even asked me after a couple hours what I wanted to do and I just wanted him out and healthy. We found out that he had a heart defect when I was about 26 weeks pregnant with him so there was a team of docs, nurses and specialists from the childrens hospital next door there when I gave birth as well. He wasn't showing too much distress but we just wanted him to be as healthy as possible when I had him because there was always the heart defect to worry about.

Bebita86

@juliek77 i really hope you're able to get justice for your son you should definitely pursue it if you can

juliek77

@Bebita86, thank you!

blissmarie23

I know they can measure your pelvis from the outside but they cant really determine how wide your pelvis will open at birth. Especially because the relaxin hormone helps stretch your pubic symphasis. Many women with small pelvises ate able to have normal size and large babies. You can know til you're in labor. Plus changing positions while you're in labor and even pushing can help the baby come out easier. I think alot of times doctors tell women the baby's too big or your pelvis is too small to scare them into c sections. Drs earn more money for c sections and they are easy and convenient to schedule a win win for the dr.

Palomita

@juliek77 thank you for sharing your story. I'm so sorry that happened to your little boy. I know a lawsuit would be a long road to go down, but if all the c-section signs were there I think you have a good case. Good luck!