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Female Pelvic Shape: Distinct Types or Nebulous Cloud?

Female Pelvic Shape: Distinct Types or Nebulous Cloud?

Rather than trying to determine which distinct type of pelvis a woman has, we argue that it is more helpful to simply have an awareness that pelvic shape has many components that may affect childbirth, each of which can vary smoothly. Certain phenomena, such as a high head at term or deep transverse arrest, could be due to a more exaggerated oval shaped brim or more prominent ischial spines; to attempt to explain such events by categorizing the pelvis is not necessary and will not affect the management of labour.

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Rethinking Pelvic Typologies and the Human Birth Mechanism

Rethinking Pelvic Typologies and the Human Birth Mechanism

Euro-American biomedical establishment has dictated a singular “normal” birth mechanism, in which the ascent and rotation of the neonate in labor follow one definitive course through a rigid bony birth canal. This typological approach was constructed by an early eugenic school of thought promoting the idea that white women, whose labors were presented as more difficult, were more evolved then women of racial “types” who were presumed to give birth more easily.

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Going Reptile

Going Reptile

Going Reptile shows up in many different ways and intensities. We can “go reptile” at work, at home and in social situations. This affects us, and those around us. The impact is often much greater than we realize. When we “go reptile”, we enter into an automatic reactive mode. We’re designed to react and consolidate our resources for safety, and when it’s a bear we’re running from, it makes very good sense. At the office or at home, the result can be considerably less than optimal.

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