Types of Female Pelvis, Shapes of Female Pelvis and Child Birth

Female Pelvis is of four types. Actually, these types are based on the shape of the female pelvis. The shape of female pelvis is very important from a gynecological point of view. The anatomical shape of the female pelvis should be suitable for the passage of the baby through it. Otherwise, the baby may get stuck inside the pelvis that may make vaginal delivery difficult.
Let us discuss different types or shapes of the female pelvis on by one and in brief detail.

Types of Female Pelvis (Caldwell-Moloy classification)

(from left to right)

1 .Gynaecoid Pelvis.

This is the most suitable female pelvic shape. This allows normal childbirth with ease. It has round pelvic inlet and shallow pelvic cavity with short ischial spines. All these features allow the rapid birth of the baby. So Gynaecoid Pelvis is the most suitable pelvic shape for childbirth.

2. Anthropoid Pelvis.

Anthropoid pelvis has oval shaped inlet with large anterior-posterior diameter and comparatively smaller transverse diameter. It has a larger outlet. The problem in this pelvis is the inlet. The diameters of inlet favor the engagement of the fetal head in an occiput-posterior position that may slow down the progress of labor. If the head engages in an anterior position then Labor progress normally in most of the cases.

3. Android Pelvis.

Android shaped pelvis has triangular or heart-shaped inlet and is narrower from the front. It has prominent ischial spines and also has narrower transverse outlet diameter. Such pelvis is more likely to be present in taller women. African-Caribbean women are more at risk of having an android shaped pelvis. Childbirth is difficult and more complicated in android shaped pelvis than gynaecoid pelvis. Women have to push harder, walk more often and chances of instrumental vaginal delivery are high. It may prolong the Labor.

4. Platypelloid Pelvis.

Platypelloid pelvis has a narrow anterior-posterior diameter of the pelvic inlet. The pelvic inlet is specifically kidney-shaped. The pelvic cavity is usually shallow and diameters of the outlet are favorable for the process of Labor. But platypelloid pelvis doesn’t allow the head to engage with ease. But if the head manages to engage, then rest of the process of Labor may occur normally but in most of the cases, it is longer as compared to the progress of Labor in case of the gynaecoid pelvis.

 

Also, compare fetal head diameters with pelvic diameter by reading the following article.

• Fetal Head Diameters.
• Pain relief in case of prolong labor.