Is it because when you have contractions you're spreading apart to make an exit for the baby and your hips push out. I imagine it would be hard to expand with small straight hips, and it would hurt tremendously. I wouldn't know though. I've never had a baby. I'm just a curious eighth grader.
Did anyone with small hips have any extra pain or complications?
Did anyone with larger hips find it easier to slide the baby out?
I was just wondering because I have larger hips than the average girl my size. I'm not overweight, it's just that my hip bones are big.
2006-10-19 13:44:10 · 9 answers · asked by Life Is Great 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I understand that not all of the pain is caused by hip structure. I just thought when you're about to go into labor or even before that thatb your hips spread apart. Is this part of labor the most painful for larger or smaller hips. I should have made it more specific. Thanx anyway!
2006-10-21 05:47:40 · update #1
when you are in your 7th month of pregnancy, you start to waddle when you walk. this is because your hip bones actually spread and turn outward opening your pelvis more to make room for both the growing baby and for the actual birth. (this is also why forensic doctors can identify a woman who has given birth over a woman who hasn't, because the hips do not go back into place after they have turned) this process is helped when women have larger bones or more spread apart bones because then they have that much more room.
i don't think this makes a difference in the amount of pain though, no matter how you are built, it is the worst pain imaginable. but i'll tell you a secret: the minute it is over and you hold your baby or see your baby, you forget the pain was ever there and you can't wait to do it again.
extra pain and complications more often have other reasons for occuring than because of the shape of your hips. your hips are shaped to allow you to both hold the baby in your uterus while you are pregnant and to allow a safe passage out of your body for when the baby is born.
the best way to guard against the pain is to just get a spinal epidural......you will be completely numb from the waist down and won't feel a single bit of pain. now, if only moms could be allowed to continue using the epidural until the kids go off to college......that would make millions of moms happy (i'm just kidding)
that is a great question! your mother would be so proud of what an obviously great, thoughtful, intelligent person you are growing to be!!
by the way, i have the larger hips and overall larger bone structure myself. i had one 6 lb, 8 ounce baby and it was a difficult and painful labor/delivery. then i had an almost 10 pound baby and it was so easy i couldn't believe it was actually over so quick!
2006-10-19 14:03:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The pelvic bone is actually 3 bones connected by ligaments that relax and spread slightly apart during delivery. Think of it like a snake's jaw that widens while it swallows large prey.
My hips were narrow and my body had to produce more relaxin, which caused the ligaments to actually separate several centimeters. It was extremely painful and took 6 weeks to heal. I have arthritis there now that will always be a painful reminder, but I have a more beautiful reminder of the miracle of life everytime I look at my son so I have no regrets.
2006-10-19 13:54:06 · answer #2 · answered by dbackbarb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the size of the pelvis. I'm a big woman, but there is a very small pelvis hiding under all the bulk. Not a good child-bearer. Some skinny-minnies just pop their babies right out! Take it as a compliment if you ever hear you have hips that will be great for bearing kids!
2006-10-19 14:02:12 · answer #3 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's a myth, i am a size 3/4 at 5'2 very petite, i had an easy childbirth, my sister is a size 11/12 at 5'3 and she had a tougher time at childbirth. Don't believe those lies. it has nothing to do with hips and i know cause i have experienced childbirth, half the people saying that have no idea what they are talking about, God made women's bodies to be able to stretch, the stomach muscles stretch, the uterus stretches, the vagina stretches, stay active during pregnancy and you'll be ok :)
2006-10-19 14:04:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say that it's more painful or harder. During your entire pregnancy your bone structure changes. So even though you may think you have wide hips now, your hips will still probably get wider when you do decide to have kids.
2006-10-19 13:46:58 · answer #5 · answered by Stacy D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure, but have you ever heard the expression "child bearing hips"?
I'm thinking that hip size might have something to do with some of the pain involved in childbirth.
2006-10-19 13:48:01 · answer #6 · answered by ♥Me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Women with larger hips usually have a wider pelvic which makes it easier for the baby and the mother. Women with narrow pelvic bones usually have to have a cesarean.
2006-10-19 13:46:58 · answer #7 · answered by ♥cinnamonmj♥ 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The wider pelvic region makes it easier for the babcy to pass down the birth canal without being retricted by bone.
2006-10-19 13:46:26 · answer #8 · answered by Isis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not the spreading of the hips that is painful, it is the dilation of the cervix.
2006-10-19 14:11:37 · answer #9 · answered by dumbblond 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋