Cephalopelvic disproportion, or CPD, occurs when the baby’s head is too large to fit through the mother’s pelvis. This can be caused by the size of the baby’s head or the size or shape of the mother’s pelvis, or both. When there is CPD, the baby’s head cannot descend for a vaginal delivery, and a cesarean section delivery is usually necessary. This “passenger-fit” disparity is likely when the baby is large (fetal macrosomia). When CPD is not recognized prior to labor, a woman may experience a prolonged labor, followed by an unplanned cesarean section. Some experts have debated whether birth weight or the size of a baby’s head is more useful in predicting unplanned cesarean delivery.
In 2015, Israeli researchers published a study on the topic in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, suggesting that a baby’s head circumference is a better predictor of an unplanned cesarean than high birth weight. Deliveries of babies with head circumferences or birth weights over the 95% percentile were studied, finding that 16% of infants with a large head circumference were delivered via unplanned cesarean while 10% of infants with a large birth weight were delivered the same way. The study’s authors note, however, that more research is needed to determine whether their findings are a “predictive parameter for prelabor counseling of women with ‘big babies’.”
The following reviews from our clients do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of another legal matter. The cases mentioned in the reviews are illustrative of some of the matters previously handled by Grant & Eisenhofer involving various areas of birth injury law. These reviews are endorsements.
The following reviews from our clients do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of another legal matter. The cases mentioned in the reviews are illustrative of some of the matters previously handled by Grant & Eisenhofer involving various areas of birth injury law. These reviews are endorsements.