Types of Pelvis: What Do They Mean?

While you’re bearing your baby inside your womb, the pelvic joints and ligaments support the developing baby inside you and make childbirth easy. (The pelvis is between the lower abdomen (tummy) and above the thighs).

The maternal pelvis plays a major role in giving birth to the baby. At around 36 weeks, the baby drops into the pelvis region, with signs of lightening as the body is slowly preparing for labour, and childbirth.

While the pelvis changes in shape during pregnancy and childbirth, it may also give rise to discomfort.

The Pelvis Shapes During Pregnancy

The pelvis shape depends upon genetic and environmental factors. In the 1930s experts found four different shapes of the pelvis. Quite interestingly, a few new research have revealed that there are more variations of the pelvis than they were earlier thought.

Overall the shapes of the pelvis during pregnancy, labour, and childbirth.

Gynecoid pelvis

The gynecoid shape is a common pelvis shape. In the gynecoid pelvis, the pelvis becomes shallow and wide. In this type of pelvis, the life you’re nurturing inside you has more space to go down the pelvis at the time of childbirth.

Anthropoid pelvis

The anthropoid pelvis is another common pelvis shape and it is wider from the right to the left. In this type of pelvis, the hips become wider from the front to the back. You carry most of your weight in your buttocks and abdomen. If you’re in labour with this kind of pelvis, expect your labour to be long.

Platypelloid pelvis

The Platypelloid pelvis is also known as a flat pelvis. It also resembles an egg or oval shape. As a result of this shape, the baby will have a difficult time passing through the birth canal. The birthing process may take a long time and a C-section may be necessitated.

To know and understand the shape of the pelvis, you need to visit the doctor. The healthcare practitioner takes you through X-rays to check the shape of the pelvis and make an informed decision regarding the regular activities during labour, and childbirth.