Can doctor tell by looking at bone structure if you'll need a C-section?

Count Choculitis

So I posted on here a while back about delivering my twins via scheduled C-section April 28th...so about two weeks from now. 

I'm seriously considering having a vaginal delivery instead of a C-section, because I found out that my boys are both head down AND I'm concerned about the recovery time involved post-C-section.  

Anyway, I'm afraid that my pelvic bones wont' be able to spread (or whatever the technical term is) to accommodate these babies. Why do I think that? Because my bone structure/body shape is almost identical to my mother's...and she had that problem and she had to deliver me and both of my brothers via C-section.

So my questions is: is there any way for my doctor to tell by looking at me, my bone structure, or whatever, if I'm going to be able to handle a vaginal delivery?  The boys are pretty big for twins, too. They weigh about 6 1/2 lb each already. 

cassoppea

Honesty I don't know the answer to your question. I just wanted to say though that before my c/s I was very worried about recovery too. I know everyone is different but I was up walking around that afternoon, showered that evening and was pretty much able to take care of myself and baby the next day without help. Of course it wasn't pain free but the recovery was much better than I expected. I also have a friend who delivered both her twins vaginally and had no problems, but I don't know about her hip structure compared to yours. Hopefully someone can give you a better answer on that one! But if you do end up needing a c/s the recovery isn't always as bad as it sounds!

Wifey1012

Bc you get to stay longer in the hospital w a c section, I felt really good by the time I went home. I thought recovery would be awful. The worst part is the first couple of days while you are still there. Hope this eases your worries!

kcisthebombdotcom

No, there's no way to tell until you're actively in labor.

I'd be interested if there is a correlation between family members and this though. I was an emergency c-section because I got stuck and went into distress and my son was a c-section as well.

honkytonk_kid

There is some testing that can be done to rule out pelvic anatomic anomalies (x-ray I believe, so too late you for!) such as android pelvis. But as far as size, ability to spread/accommodate babies, etc, no, there is really no way to tell. There are also many factors that could have influenced your mom's c-sections, so I wouldn't let that worry you.

Both babies being head down is awesome! And even if 6.5 lbs is chunky-monkey for twins, it's not that big for a baby in general. I would go for it if I were you!

Count Choculitis

cassoppea:

Honesty I don't know the answer to your question. I just wanted to say though that before my c/s I was very worried about recovery too. I know everyone is different but I was up walking around that afternoon, showered that evening and was pretty much able to take care of myself and baby the next day without help. Of course it wasn't pain free but the recovery was much better than I expected. I also have a friend who delivered both her twins vaginally and had no problems, but I don't know about her hip structure compared to yours. Hopefully someone can give you a better answer on that one! But if you do end up needing a c/s the recovery isn't always as bad as it sounds!

This is very reassuring! Thank you. 

bexram

cassoppea:

Honesty I don't know the answer to your question. I just wanted to say though that before my c/s I was very worried about recovery too. I know everyone is different but I was up walking around that afternoon, showered that evening and was pretty much able to take care of myself and baby the next day without help. Of course it wasn't pain free but the recovery was much better than I expected. I also have a friend who delivered both her twins vaginally and had no problems, but I don't know about her hip structure compared to yours. Hopefully someone can give you a better answer on that one! But if you do end up needing a c/s the recovery isn't always as bad as it sounds!

 

this! I was freaked about the possibility of having a c-section.. I had the same bone structure worry because I am short and my mom had 3 c-sections. Anyways I ended up not progressing had an emergency c-section bc of DS's heartrate (cord was around his neck). Recovery was fine!! Nobody could believe I was walking up and down the stairs a couple days later. Everyone is different, but I hope this reassures you in case you do end up having the surgery. Congrats on your boys

Squirrel29

As a PP said, there's not much they can tell before labor but there are so many factors that go into it I wouldn't base my decision on my mother's experience if I were you.  I've had both a vaginal birth (with an episiotomy) and a CS and while my cs recovery was fairly standard I'd still take a vaginal birth over a cs any day as the recovery was significantly easier.  I'm 37 weeks along now and planning a VBAC for this very reason. 

Plus, 6.5 lb babies aren't that big in the grand scheme of things.  If I were you I'd go for the vaginal birth - look at it this way, if you schedule a cs you not only ensure a cs this time around but put yourself in a position where any future birth could likely lead to another cs (if you are considering any more kids), whereas if you go for a vaginal birth you may end up avoiding cs both this time around and in the future.  GL!

iris427

No they can't.  Barring true anatomical deformities or something, studies have found there is no reliable way to tell this.  True CPD is pretty rare and there is no way to tell ahead of time.  Your pelvic joints will spread during labor, enlarging your pelvis, and the baby's skull will mold too.  Delivering in a position like squatting can help maximize the size of your pelvis.  6.5 lbs is not a big baby and I would not assume that what happened to your mother will happen to you.

nosoup4u

Squirrel29:

If I were you I'd go for the vaginal birth - look at it this way, if you schedule a cs you not only ensure a cs this time around but put yourself in a position where any future birth could likely lead to another cs (if you are considering any more kids), whereas if you go for a vaginal birth you may end up avoiding cs both this time around and in the future.  GL!

I totally agree with this! Might as well try for a vaginal birth. Good luck!

miss1991

No. I know women who have larged baby's like 12lbs that where shorter than me and to the look's of everything smaller and birthed just fine. In my case I am not a large person and have had four small baby's no bigger than 7lbs and as small as 5lbs 13oz. I think my body makes small baby's due to genetic's and because this is what I am capable of birthing. The head on my 5lbs 13 oz was so large for me that I had a 4th degree tear.

You just really won't know until it come's time and I don't think someone looking at you or examing you could tell either.

bjfilly

My dr said that my cs chances were increased because he could tell that my pelvic bone was flat and on the smaller side.  He was right, he allowed me to push for a while but DS wasn't budging.  But I'll also say my recovery was not horrible at all. I could get up on my own, shower, and walk around the next day. Very slowly, but I could do it!

Good luck!

bitsybubbles7

No, I don't think they can cuz my mom had a small pelvis and 3 c/s and that was the first question I asked my doc.  She told me just cuz my mom had problems didn't mean I would and I didn't my entire pregnancy.  After about 28 hours of labor thought, I had a c/s and was told I had a small pelvis and that any other children I have should be by c/s too. Same as mom.