Your Pelvis is Cooler Than Elvis
Let’s show the pelvis some love.
After all, we sit on it, it holds our bodies in a upright position and it also allows a baby to grow for nine months while tucked inside the body and when the time is right, it opens to allow that baby to move down and out into the world. So, how much do you know about the very cool pelvis?
I think many people picture the pelvis as a fixed and immobile bone structure, but pelvises are more complex than that. They come in varying shapes and sizes and while it is true that non-pregnant women (and men) have pelvises that are locked, every one is made up of four distinct bones. These four bones are held together by connective tissue, cartilage and ligaments which allows to pelvis to move as we move.
As a pregnancy progresses and throughout labor, the hormone relaxin is released and that relaxin makes those connective tissues, cartilage and ligaments stretchy like rubber bands or bubble gum. All that softness allows the bones to loosen and to expand so a baby can move into the pelvis and eventually pass through. (All that loosening and stretching can also make things uncomfortable as pregnancy progresses and may be the reason for the “pregnancy waddle” or even the weird things that happens where pregnant people seem to drop things!).
If you do any reading about childbirth, you will come across a few medical terms that are used to discuss the pregnant or laboring pelvis. Words like “adequate” or “proven” may be used to describe a pelvis if it has previously been a part of a vaginal birth. An “inadequate” or “unproven” pelvis might be used to describe a woman expecting her first baby (ie unproven) or a someone who has had a prior Cesarean due to concerns over her baby’s size relative to her pelvis (ie inadequate).
The term “adequate pelvis” is hardly a ringing endorsement of the powerful pelvis, but “inadequate” is obviously worse and “proven” seems to hold the pelvis guilty of inadequacy until proven innocent. In order to appreciate the way the pelvis works during labor we have to take into account the bubble gum and rubber band actions of these bones and their respective connective tissues…and never underestimate the power of relaxin.
Judging a pelvis prior to spontaneous labor is as helpful as looking at a turtle neck shirt and deciding it is too small to fit over a human head before ever trying it on.
However, relaxin is not the only thing that opens the pelvis. The position a baby is in makes a difference as does the position of the laboring woman. Squatting is said to increase pelvic dimensions by up to 30%…which is a lot when you think about a baby coming out. You can do this exercise so you can actually feel how the pelvic bones move: simply stand, place your hands on the area just below your hips then move into a squat. You will be able to feel that your hands are now further apart than they when you were simply standing. This same thing happens when walking, lunging, walking up stairs etc. Moving during labor works the same way to allow the pelvis to stretch open in fun ways.
While in labor, people will usually find that changing positions is helpful for both comfort and for encouraging the pelvis to do the awesome things we want it to do. Even when laboring laboring with an epidural, we just keep that pelvis rocking - there are so many pelvis friendly positions and movements (and you doula will know them all!). Peanut balls are also amazing tools for helping the pelvis open, both with and without an epidural, so it does not hurt to ask if your hospital provides these or if you may bring your own.
Allowing the pelvis to do it’s job is a great way to rock your birth so when the times comes, think bubble gum thoughts and make like Elvis….shake, rattle and roll!!
