QuestionI fractured my pelvic and left hip and broke my tailbone last year on febuary 2007 i am now 23 weeks pregnant and already feel alot of pressure on my pelvic bone.my tailbone is also already giving me alot of pain. do you think i will have to have a c section?
AnswerIt's normal to feel pressure on your pubic bone. As for your tailbone, this could depend on how your baby is positioned, as well as your posture and how you are sitting. Especially with your history of pelvic fracture, you need to be particularly aware that your posture and positioning will affect your baby's position, and your baby's position has a huge impact on your comfort level and how easily you will be able to give birth. Check out www.spinningbabies.com for some ideas on good fetal positioning.
The most important thing to remember is that your baby's back is heavier than its front, and you need your baby's back to be facing your front. So you want to avoid any positions that would allow gravity to swing your baby's back around to your back. This includes reclining, leaning back in a chair, sitting back on a couch, etc. You want to stay upright, preferably with your pelvis tilted forward. This will also help take the pressure off your tailbone and may alleviate that pain as well. Try sitting on the edges of chairs and the couch instead of leaning back, or sit cross-legged on a pillow on the floor.
Something else you can do to loosen up your pelvis and encourage good baby positioning is pelvic rocks (also known as cat stretch or cat pose). Doing 40 of these at a time, several times a day, helps loosen up your pelvic ligaments and muscles while gently jiggling the baby to encourage movement into a better position. This will also help strengthen your abdominal and back muscles to make supporting the baby's weight more comfortable.
You do have a greater chance of needing a c-section than somebody with an intact pelvis; however, with good positioning and attention during labor, your pelvis may still have enough room to stretch allow the baby to pass through. You should take care to stay off your back and bottom in labor, especially while you are pushing. Any reclined or semi-reclined position automatically constricts the pelvis, as well as pushing the tailbone in and up where it can get in the way. The best position for you will be on hands and knees, since this will give your pelvis the widest possible opening for the baby to pass through as well as lift your tailbone out of the way. Make sure to discuss this with your provider in advance; you don't want to find yourself limited in options when delivery comes. Remember that there ARE things you can do now and during labor to improve your chances of success and reduce your discomfort. Also, an increased chance of a c-section is not a guarantee, and a vaginal birth is going to be the safer, healthier choice if it is at all possible.
Congratulations on your pregnancy, and good luck with your birth!
