Small pelvis & CS delivery. Image source: Del Mar Birth Centre Angela Onwuzoo Maternal health experts have warned pregnant women with small pelvises to stop refusing caesarean section delivery because of cultural and religious beliefs. The experts warned that trying to give birth vaginally through a narrow pelvis is associated with lots of complications that could lead to the death of the mother and her baby.
A caesarean section is often necessary when a normal delivery would put the life of the baby or mother at risk, and the factors that might necessitate the procedure include obstructed labour, twin pregnancy, and high blood pressure. Others are breech birth or problems with the placenta or umbilical cord. A caesarean delivery may be performed based on the shape of the mother’s pelvis or the history of a previous c-section.
According to the experts, if a pregnant woman has a small pelvis, the chances of vaginal delivery are limited, and therefore, has to be offered a CS. A Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Solomon Avidime, told PUNCH HealthWise during an interview that pregnant women with small pelvises are typically those that are naturally not too tall. He, however, said women with small pelvises could still give birth vaginally depending on the size of their babies.
The gynaecologist said, “When the pelvis is small and the baby is small, the woman can still have a vaginal delivery. So, the size of the baby is very important h.