However, a lack of proportionality between the head circumference and the biparietal diameter is more obvious to spot (e.g.
![baby misshapen head baby misshapen head](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article9777339.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/PAY-PA-Real-Life-Toni-Chatterton-eye-cancer.jpg)
A very elongated head can have difficulty passing through the lower pelvis as well, and can cause damage to the maternal pelvic floor, unless appropriate techniques are used to assist the head to flex.Ībnormal head molding in some breech babiesĮstimation of fetal weight by ultrasound is notoriously inaccurate.
![baby misshapen head baby misshapen head](https://cdn.prod.nmums.doc-media.fr/netmums_awsprod/photos/3/8/8/2591388/41055/img-410557ac.jpg)
The head may need to be rotated into the transverse diameter to safely enter the pelvis. A very experienced breech provider will have encountered this situation before, and should be able to assist, but it is quite a tricky place to be. Unless the baby is still on the small side and the pelvic inlet very round, the chin may get stuck on the sacral promontory, preventing head flexion. When the head shape has become abnormally elongated, the longest diameter of the fetal head will meet the shortest diameter of the maternal pelvis at the inlet.
BABY MISSHAPEN HEAD FREE
The head shape is highly likely to return to completely normal in the days and weeks following birth, especially if baby receives lots of holding and cuddles to permit free movement of the head.)įollowing the birth of the arms in a breech birth, the head will be in the anterior-posterior diameter of the pelvis. ( Note: Like all positional molding which occurs in utero, dolichocephaly does not in itself cause nor indicate abnormal brain development. This change in shape is more commonly associated with primiparity (first babies), larger babies, oligohydramnios, and posterior placentas, all of which result in greater forces applied to the fetal head. Technically, dolichocephaly is a mild cranial deformity in which the head has become disproportionately long and narrow, due to mechanical forces associated with breech positioning in utero ( Kasby & Poll 1982, Bronfin 2001, Lubusky et al 2007). And then others, not so large, get stuck. RCOG guidelines suggest an estimated fetal weight above 3800 g is ‘unfavourable’ for vaginal breech birth, but goes on to say, “If the baby’s trunk and thighs pass easily through the pelvis simultaneously, cephalopelvic disproportion is unlikely.” ( Easily is undefined, but in light of the evidence against augmenting breech labours, I interpret it as occurring spontaneously within about an hour of active pushing.)Ĭan we predict which babies’ heads are more likely to have difficulty passing through the pelvis? I don’t know, but I feel one phenomenon in particular deserves more attention – dolichocephaly.ĭolichocephaly developing due to positional pressures Many breech babies, even large ones, seem to just fall out. If you permanently link to this page, please use the new site: Įveryone is concerned about entrapment of the after coming head in a breech birth.
BABY MISSHAPEN HEAD HOW TO
This post is about dolichocephaly, a form of positional molding which affects some breech babies – how it happens, why it may be important, and how to recognise it.