Understanding the Maternal Passage

It is important to understand the physics of the maternal passage. This chapter explains the various diameters, and the compensatory diameters and the critical diameter at three pelvis levels. This gives a clear understanding of fetal position preferences and the mystery behind fetal movements during labour. A thorough understanding of the diameters helps us identify situations where labour will run into problems. The chapter details various aspects of the maternal passage and the clinical method of identifying issues in the maternal pelvis. The chapter also highlights the differences in the various types of the pelvis. Understanding the maternal pelvis detailed in this chapter would sensitize the reader about the science behind the differences in the fetal journey through the different types of the pelvis.