Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) is when the baby’s head or body is too large to fit into the mother’s pelvis. “Failure to progress” is most often misdiagnosed as CPD. However if CPD is the real diagnosis, the best delivery option is a cesarean section.
 

 

What causes CPD ?

 
Some of the possible causes of CPD include the following :

• a  large baby due to conditions such as diabetes, hereditary factors, postmaturity ( pregnancy that has passed its due date ) and multiparity (not the first pregnancy ).
• small pelvis
• abnormally shaped pelvis
• abnormal fetal positions

How is CPD diagnosed ?

 
Cephalopelvic disproportion  is usually diagnosed when labor progression is not sufficient  and medical therapy such as oxytocin does not help. It is rare to diagnosed this condition before labor even if the baby is too large or the mother’s pelvis is thought to be too small.

Ultrasound  is not a reliable method of diagnosing this condition. The most accurate method is a physical examination that measures the size of the pelvic size. If  CPD cannot be diagnosed, oxytocin is administered to help speed up labor or fetal position is changed.

What happens during future pregnancies ?

 
CPD is rare . According to the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM), cephalopelvic disproportion occurs in about 1 out of 250 pregnancies. Being diagnosed with CPD does not mean it will occur in future pregnancies. More than half of women diagnosed with this condition go on to are able to deliver vaginally in future pregnancies.
 
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