CPD

[ClaphamLauren]

Is there any evidence or experience of CPD being hereditary? Is anyone aware of any testing methods?

To be honest, I don't fully understand it but my Mum had it as did two of my maternal Aunts so consultant has offered me a c-section or I can try a vaginal birth but must be aware that emergency c-sec is possible.

Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks in advance!

Hi ClaphamLauren,

Thought I'd try and give you a little information regarding CPD(Cephalo Pelvic Dispraportion)

Very basic summary is that in a given pregnancy, the head of the fetus will not pass thought the pelvis, there are differing factors.

baby's head circumference is too large for your pelvis ( given a normal size pelvis and a big baby)

Pelvis is not gynaecoid (woman shaped), thus resulting in smaller diameter for outlet, baby may be normal size.

Baby may have it's head in a position which doesn't present the smallest diameter.

There are many variables but I have not experienced many true cases of CPD.

Hereditary? probably not but if you believe it is and go into labour with that thought then you are more likely to encounter problems.

It's difficult on here to give you the reassurance that you need, I really feel that a face to face consultation with an experienced midwife/doctor is the best way to allay your fears.

Hopefully others will come along and give you other viewpoints.

AFAIK, true CPD is rare

and i absolutely agree that going into labour , feeling doomed to fail , is not going to help you have a good experience.

there are ways to test if the head will engage , AFAIK, and also growth scans ( though not always terribly accurate ) can give an indication of head circumference.

are you sure that CPD is the reason for your mum and aunties birth issues? did they have to have c. sections? do you know any more about it?

I have another face to face with my consultant in 2 weeks and I'm hoping I can go in better prepared etc as I didn't really expect him to offer me a c-section just talk through things with me.

The problems they had were due to the pelvis size/shape as opposed to the baby size as they pretty much all delivered prematurely with babies around 6lb or less. I'm hoping it is not something that I can inherit, I didn't think it was until my consultant put the fear of god into me!

My Mum was in labour for days with me and proceeded to have an assisted delivery using forceps, ventouse and had 4th degree tearing with tonnes of stitches! With my sister, she wanted to try again for a better birth but after being induced for four days and then not progressing she had to have an emergency c-section that was equally traumatic with blood transfusions, crashing etc. She had xrays at the time but can't recall why or what the outcome was! Useful

There just doesn't seem to be enough information out there on it to work out what I need to ask, is there a way that they can check the size/shape of my pelvis?

I was expecting a relativelt straightforward normal birth but after that appointment I am now starting to worry it's going to be horrendous! I'm only 16 weeks and it's very scary feeling like I have to make decisions now about this.

Hi again.

Really feel that you are letting family history influence you, CPD is not really an inherited trait.

6lbs is not particularly small, how premature were they?

37 weeks is considered full term, but people would say the baby was early.

I really feel that you are asking for specifics which no one can help with unless they have the relevant data regarding all your family, and even with that, it may not be applicable to you.

You say your mum had a forceps delivery, but it was still a vaginal delivery, albeit with assistance, that doesn't necessarily indicate CPD.

She then had what I would describe as a trial of labour and a subsequent crash section, which suggests fetal distress rather more than CPD

There are no guarantees with any pregnancy and labour. The greatest percentage end with a healthy mum and baby,.

Please try and be posiitve in your thoughts while making your enquiries.

You have many weeks left to enjoy the wonderful feeling of preparing for birth, try not to let your mum and aunties experiences influence you too much.

Sorry for the long post, hope it helps.

but your mum did deliver vaginally once, the pelvis was 'proved' as it were. ok she had help, but primips often need a bit of help from forceps or ventouse

did she labour on a bed, immobile? that can have an impact on things...

and agree with noname

she is a MW, and very knowledgeable

Thanks lulumama

See, you can teach anold dog new tricks

My Mum and Aunts are both encouraging me to have a vaginal birth if possible - they think it's an invaluable experience. I just mentioned it to the consultant when he asked about family history and he is the one who has scared the bejesus out of me!

I may just discuss with my midwife as it feels like my consultant is resigned to me having a c-sec.

Thanks for your help ladies, it's given me a good idea of things to ask at my next appointment and made me feel a little stronger. I wanted a water birth and have just started active birth/yoga lessons so will hope that I my consultant is a little more optimistic on my next visit!

yay for noname and her smileys

claphamlauren

obstetricians see the worst case scenarios and bad births. MWs are experts in the normal. consultants are often quite good at scaring the pants off you, often without meaning to.

when i was pregnant with DD and wanting a VBAC, consult. started talking about rupture and risks of that happening. i simply asked him how many he had seen... and it all went quiet.! it is ok to question them, and ok to ask for a second opinion

you cannot make a rational , informed decision when you are terrified. so getting as much info as you can is really helpful.

if you want to go for a water birth, go for it, you won;t know unless you try