To request a c-section due to a narrow pubic arch?

[Pondlife87]

I am 39w+5 today and due to 4 episodes of reduced fetal movement I was offered an induction from beginning of week 39. I opted to try and wait a bit longer and had a sweep today, with plan for an induction if it doesn't work.

Had my sweep today and my midwife informed me I have a 'narrow pelvic arch' and explained this can make vaginal birth more likely to result in instrumental birth, or a c section....both of these I am fine with, as I am of the mind set that I just want the baby out safely.

However after doing some more research I am coming across links to shoulder dystonia which raises risk of baby having a brachial plexus injury, head injury or even still birth. I have always had an irrational fear of shoulder dystonia since finding out I am pregnant and now my fears are multiplied by a million.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Other research has shown up that although 1 in 4 women have a narrow pubic arch, it is more closely linked with women who are tall or have a black background. I am 5'1 and Caucasian, so I don't feel like any of the research out there is relevant to my demographic.

Any advice/ experiences would be greatly appreciated. I am so scared now! Would it be unreasonable to request a C-section?

To ask no not unreasonable but talk to your dr about risks they may even recommend one

Only you can weigh up all the risks and decide whether it is preferable I recently elected for a c section after going 10 days over, I categorical did not want an induction.

There is no saying how an induction would have gone for me, but I weighed everything up and decided the calm controlled start to labour trumped all the anxiety I had about an induction. It was the right choice for me and I don't regret it.

However, I cannot recommend major abdominal surgery on a whim, I recovered smoothly but it comes with it's own risks.

Do your research, listen to your gut.

If you decide for a c section I do not think they can deny you it but you must be able to explain your reasoning.

I had shoulder dystocia with dc1 and that meant I had an elevated risk of it happening with dc2, so I had an elcs. If a narrow pubic arch increases your risk of shoulder dystocia, then I assume they would do an elcs. No harm in asking!

Fwiw, my doctors were all in favour of the elcs, but the mws less so. I went with the doctors and it was fine.

That said, dc1 and I are completely fine after the birth we had. Recovery was a bit longer with dc2.

Good luck whatever you do .