pelvis too small for natural birth?

cardinals05

so my grandma was in labor for days with all four of her girls. forceps, etc...the whole thing. just horrible labor days on end, but no c-sections (don't think they were done much in those days).

my mom had four c-sections with us kids, because she was told her pelvic bones were too close together for us to fit. (we were all around 7 lbs). when she tried to have a natural birth, her bladder and uterus ruptured and an emergency c-section was performed.

now my sister is due a day after me- and her dr. told her she had a "narrow birth canal"- whatever that means- and is encouraging a c-section.

i'm wondering if i should be concerned. i know there is an anatomical reason the baby just can't fit through- as far as pelvic shape goes. anyone know if they can really tell this through internals? or would they need to test any other way? i don't want to try to have the baby naturally to find out i have the same issue.

madhatter2003

You really can't tell until you are in labor. Your body will 'spread' once labor begins, but yes for some women  it is a real issue.  But I'd still try for a vaginal delivery.

MrsL.inMarch

Sorry, no advice, I'm not sure how this all works. But this:

cardinals05:

her bladder and uterus ruptured

stopped my heart for a second. Holy crap. 

cardinals05

uh, yeah. i know. i was 8 and it was my little sister she was having. the two of them almost didn't make it.

BUT TAKE HEART.....her idiot dr. let her try to do a v-bac after THREE c-sections! who does that?! too risky and a really stupid move. but she had felt like she had missed out on natural birth experience...poor mama.

jay.otter

Because of your family history, I would be concerned. Like Madhatter said, there really is know way to know before hand.

brideofaussie

ITA w/ madhatter.

You really can't know until you actually try.  I know the doula that taught our childbirth class said the number of women she's seen who truly can't birth vaginally are rare.  She said in 30 years as a doula she's had one client who just couldn't do it.

gina&dave07

My OB has the same concern about me, but I have to have a c-section b/c the baby is breech.

angelynn8411

my mom had the same problem (she was 4'11" and 85 lbs pre pregnancy, so very very tiny) and my brother got lodged. She hemmorhaged and had to have an emergency c-section after 27 hours of labor.

SO my very first question when i went to my midwife was for them to evaluate my pelvis. They said mine is fine and there is no reason to worry. You don't always take after your mother. And you don't know how it will be for you until you try. I definitely understand why you are afraid, because it's always in the back of my mind too but if the dr's were concerned, they would definitely let you know. My mom's dr. told her right away she would have problems, so if they haven't said anything, i wouldn't worry. And if you want to, just ask them their opinion on the situation.

 

angelynn8411

also - keep in mind how RARE it is for the baby not to fit!

Sunndraggon

I understand how you feel. My mother's birth canal was too narrow and her first died the day after birth due to severe brain damage from her skull being crushed. She was 9p6o. My mom had a c-section with my sister,who was only 1 once heavier- had she had natural birth, the same was likely to have happened. Back then, she had to fight so hard to find a dr who would do an "elective" section depsite her history. I was over 10 pounds, and was a section as well.

 

So, now being pg, i worry that the same could happen to me.my sisters and I,my father, Dh and his brother were all over 9 and 10 pounds. I have talked to my doctors about the history of large babies, and what happened to my mothers first child. They are going to closely monitor me and the size of the baby and have already said a c-section would be possible. If given the choice, i would actualy choose a c-section. I would rather the longer recovery time and all that comes along with a section than risk my childs life.

 

Express your concerns to your doctors.They are vaild concerns and they may be able to ease your mind,or they may watch you more closely than they would if they don't know the history

JARbaby

angelynn8411:

my mom had the same problem (she was 4'11" and 85 lbs pre pregnancy, so very very tiny) and my brother got lodged.

My Great Grandmother was 4'8" and delieverd my Grandfater who was 15 pounds, naturally, so height is not the issue. Anatomical structure is.

angelynn8411

good point, JARbaby..i was trying to emphasize that she was tiny. But I forgot to mention my grandmother was the same height/build as my mother and had 2 babies just fine. I am not much bigger than either of them, and my MW says my pelvis is fine.

angelynn8411

sorry to keep posting - but on that same note, a coworker of mine is seriously the size of a 10 yr old girl and had an 8 lb baby fine, and my mom couldn't even have my brother who was 6 lb 9 oz. So you just never know how your body is going to be.

cardinals05

thanks i appreciate the responses. i think i will definitely have a talk w/ my doctor now that my sister appears to have the same issue. i know it's rare but clearly a legitimate concern because it does affect some women as evidenced by some of our stories.....

i am also more comfortable w/ c section and i know in my heart it's because of my mom's history- i know it's normal to have fears about if it will affect me in the same way. we'll see what my dr. says..

peapine

my mom had the same issue which is why she had c-secs for both me and my brother. just ask your doctor...have you yet? better than asking us. we dont know your body and dont know anything to help you. i spoke to my doctor and she said my structure was fine for natural birth. so you dont always take after your mother/relatives. just ask your doctor to check you out.