Pregnant with a metal pelvis..

[wit_11]

When I was in high school, I was involved in a bad car accident which resulted in many injuries-- one being a fractured pelvis. I had to have metal plates and screws put in the place of my right pelvic bone, and they're still there. I am now 29 weeks pregnant and am concerned about whether or not I can or should deliver naturally. My doctor doesn't seem to know the answer and says he will talk to an orthopedic surgeon about it, but he's yet to give me any answers. Of course I want to deliver naturally, but if there will be ANY risks whatsoever with my pelvis, then I'd rather just do the C-section so my baby will be safe. First, do any of you think there is a risk? And if so, how do I tell my doctor I'd rather just opt for the C-section to avoid any complications. I don't want to come off like I'm telling him what to do. I'm trying to keep my options open, but am terrified of something going wrong during delivery that might harm my baby.

[Mommy3Girls]

Something else you may want to consider too, is when you give birth your pelvis expands to allow the baby through the birth canal. Talk to your doc again and ask if this can restrict your pelvis spreading the way it should for the birth. When I gave birth to my frst little girl I stopped dialating at 5 1/2. The doc never said why, but I think I was too small for her to get through the birth canal and she wasnt big. She was only 7 lbs 3 ozs. I would just bring up the concern again, and if your doc still has not talked to the surgeon, call around and ask an orthopedic surgeon yourself too. Doesnt hurt to get a second opinion. :-)

[christine613]

(finally a question I can answer)...I was in the same boat as you when I was pregnant with my son.

I, too, was in a bad car accident in high school and have pins, plates and all of the above in my left hip and pelvis. My doc wasn't able to give advice because she needed an x ray. I decided to go ahead and have a c section because I was SO worried I that my hip could rebreak and my doctor agreed.

After my son was born, I went to the ortho surg. that I went to at 16 and he said I would have been fine because of the location of the breaks...I was so disappointed with my decision until he said that the birth of a large baby (8 lbs 15 oz) could have agrivated any arthritis that was present.

good luck to you and enjoy that baby!

A little advise- when your baby gets to be about 10 months or so it is REALLY hard on your hips so try not to carry your baby all the time- let hubby help or use the stroller. :)

[JoyRenee]

I can't find anything by simply researching online, but I don't have access to medical stuff online. Your best bet is to remind your doctor about talking with the orthopedic surgeon every single time you see him. Chances are he forgets after a long day and after not seeing you for weeks at a time.

I think the stress of birth might make it very difficult for you to do it vaginally. But again, I'm not a doctor. Your best bet is to get that ortho's opinion!

[4boys1girl]

I had a really hard time delivering my third son due to him being a big baby.  I was done having babies and was never going to go through that agien.  Well.....I became pregnant agien and was faced with the same problem.  I did not want to go through the trauma I went through nor did I want to put another baby through this.  I was scared to bring up my fears to my OB but eventually talked to him about this.  He was actually very open to the idea and was very caring to my concerns.  I did not have any medical reason to deliver via a c-section with the exception that I had given birth to babies that were large.  My OB did not argue with me.  He explained the risks and as long as I was alright with them he was all-right with the c-section.  I think Drs are more open to the mothers being a part in the whole birthing process.  If you were afraid of the pain of labor I think you may have a hard time convincing an OB to risk a c-section.  It sounds like you have a valid concern regading your pelvis.  If you opt for a c-section I think your Dr will understand.  Talk to him about it.
Kris