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Pelvimetry — a Squatter's View
Author(s) -
Gudgeon C. W.,
Jarrett J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1991.tb02785.x
Subject(s) - squatting position , supine position , pelvimetry , pelvis , measure (data warehouse) , geodesy , medicine , geology , anatomy , surgery , computer science , database
EDITORIAL COMMENT: These days there is much talk at antenatal classes and in delivery rooms of the options available to women regarding the position at delivery. Many who give advice antenatally lack delivery room experience, and many who give delivery room advice do not receive the blame for delivery difficulties. Comfort of the patient during the process of birth is important. It is also important for the accoucheur to perform his/her task in a satisfactory manner avoiding unnecessary perineal damage (episiotomy or extension thereof) or fetal hypoxia or injury due to difficulty with delivery of the shoulders. We agree with our radiologist reviewer that the bituberous diameter is difficult to measure with accuracy, and that the available AP of the outlet is a more important measurement to predict the outcome of labour. The Editor may be a square but he has not yet delivered a woman while she was in a squatting position ‐ he has often been! This paper provides some evidence that the squatting position does not improve the dimensions of the pelvic outlet during delivery. Summary: Patients were X‐rayed in supine and squatting positions in order to measure any increase in pelvic outlet diameters. An increase of less than 2% was found. Previous estimates of 20–30% increases in pelvic outlet area were not duplicated.