Pelvic Anatomy Determines How to Give Birth

In labor, the pathway of the fetus from the uterus is influenced by the shape and size of the woman's pelvis. Pelvic anatomy is one of the determinants of whether labor can be carried out normally or not. Pregnant women need to have a pelvic exam in early pregnancy to get an assessment of the shape of the pelvis. Some women have a pelvic shape that is not suitable for normal childbirth. Even so, that does not mean normal vaginal delivery is not possible. The shape of the pelvis provides additional information about the risk of obstacles in the process of giving birth. In addition, abnormal soft tissue lumps in the pelvis can close the baby's birth canal. The most common abnormal tissue is myoma or uterine fibroids, which are masses that arise from uterine tissue. Most of myoma growth does not cause problems because most of it is found in the upper part of the uterus. However, if the myoma is in the lower pelvis, the baby's birth canal can be closed. Evaluation of the size and position of fibroids or other lumps in soft tissue within the pelvis can be done via pelvic ultrasound. This examination can help decide whether a woman is able to give birth normally through the vagina. Before knowing the forms of a woman's pelvis, let's study what are the organs inside.

What Organs Are in the Pelvis?

The female pelvic area houses various reproductive organs which include:

• Bones and pelvic muscles, are important foundation structures that play a role in maintaining the position of organs such as the intestine, bladder and uterus to stay in place. In women this part plays a role in helping to push the baby out of the birth canal during the birth process.
• Vagina or also called the baby's birth canal, as well as a channel to release menstrual blood. The vagina connects the cervix or cervix with the outside of the body.
• The cervix or cervix is ​​a narrow part of the uterus. The cervix is ​​located between the bladder and rectum. The mouth of the uterus is a canal or channel that opens into the vagina.
• The uterus, also known as the uterus, is a pear-shaped organ. The uterus has a cavity that can accommodate the fetus. Its position is in the lower abdomen, between the bladder and rectum.
• Endometrium, which is the inner lining of the uterus. In this layer the fertilized egg attaches, then grows and develops into a fetus. When fertilization does not occur, the endometrial lining will decay out with blood during menstruation.
• Ovary, is a female reproductive organ that produces eggs or oocytes. Women have two ovaries which are supported by a membrane on the side of the uterus.
• Fallopian tube, serves to carry eggs from the ovary to the uterus.

Types of pelvic forms and their effects on childbirth

Here are four of the most common forms of female pelvic bones and their effects on labor.

• Platypelloid. The shape of the pelvic cavity is oval, which is flattened from the diameter of the front to the back. This can cause the fetus to cross the pelvis in a transverse head position. About 5% of women have this type of pelvic shape.
• Android. Actually this shape is a typical male pelvis, which is the size of a small pelvic cavity and its shape resembles a heart symbol. In this type of pelvis, the pelvic lower bone (iscium bone) tends to protrude and arch the pelvis
• The shape of the android pelvis is also at risk of causing abnormal vaginal delivery.
• Gynecoid. This is the most common form of pelvis in women and is the best form of pelvis suitable for normal childbirth. The inner cavity is oval.
The distance from the right side to the left side of the pelvis is wider than the distance from the front to the back. In this pelvic bone shape, the pelvic lower bone and the pubic arch are quite large, which is about 90 ° or wider.
• Anthropoid. In this type of pelvis, the inner cavity is oval, but the distance between the front and back sides is wider than the right side and the left side. The side walls are parallel and the back is wide enough to accommodate the back of the baby's head. This results in babies born facing up.

Because the type of pelvis also determines the best steps in the delivery method for women, it is important to carry out routine pregnancy checks from the beginning of the pregnancy, so that the safest delivery process can be planned. Not only pelvic anatomy, maternal and fetal conditions during pregnancy, history of labor, and personal preferences also play an important role in determining the best labor procedures. Therefore, it is important to consult an obstetrician during pregnancy.