How to Treat Cephalopelvic Disproportion
Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD) is a rare and often misdiagnosed condition affecting a woman's ability to have a vaginal delivery. Causes include an over-sized baby, a small or abnormally shaped pelvis or abnormal fetal position. There are measures that can be taken to treat suspected CPD before resorting to a C-section. Read on to learn how to treat cephalopelvic disproportion.
Instructions
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Measure the mother's pelvis through X-rays or a CT scan to rule out any abnormalities. Physicians often recommend a CT scan, because of the lower dose of radiation involved. Both procedures result in roughly the same measurements.
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Encourage the mother during a long labor that she can deliver vaginally. It is believed that a woman's confidence and motivation to persevere through a lengthy labor can help her work through suspected CPD and deliver vaginally. Give her as much positive support as possible.
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Have the mother squat or assume another upright position during labor, as this affects a pelvis' measurements. Squatting increases pelvic capacity by nearly 30 percent.
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Perform a C-section if all other measures fail. The safety of the mother and baby are paramount in a delivery.
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Tips & Warnings
Evidence proves that if you had a CPD diagnosis and delivered by C-section with a previous baby, you still may have a future vaginal delivery.
The most common birthing position in the United States, half-reclined on a birthing table, isn't conducive to CPD, because it restricts pelvic movement and adjustment for birthing by having the mother's weight rest on her coccyx.
Some hospitals won't conduct X-rays on a mother and fetus due to concerns of radiation exposure.