Female Pelvis and Fetal Skull

Question 1

Describe the 4 types of pelvis.

Answer 1

Android - Heart-Shaped Brim.
Anthropoid - Long Oval Brim.
Platypelloid - Flat with Kidney Shaped Brim
Gynaecoid - Rounded brim. Optimum shape for childbirth.

Question 2

What are the 3 areas of the pelvic space?

Answer 2

Pelvic brim (door). Pelvic Cavity (corridor). Pelvic Outlet (exit).

Question 3

Which fetal skull diameter is most favourable for birth?

Answer 3

Suboccipito-Bregmatic (SOB). Baby would have chin tucked under, neck flexed and would feel anterior fontanelle.

Question 4

Describe baby’s travel through the pelvis.

Answer 4

Baby engages with pelvic brim, neck deflexed, looking at left or right side of mum.
Baby then flexes neck while entering pelvic cavity. Internal rotation occurs in pelvic cavity with the help of the pelvic floor. Baby is now looking to back of mum.
Baby extends neck whilst coming through pelvic outlet and external rotation occurs to allow shoulders through.

Question 5

What is the Levator Ani?

Answer 5

The main pelvic floor muscle.

Question 6

What is main difference between Male and Female Pelvis?

Answer 6

The distance between the female ischial spines is greater than in the male pelvis