The pelvis is made up of two large bones joined by cartilage and ligaments at two joints in the woman's lower back at the sacrum (called the sacroiliac joints) and at the front symphysis pubis bone.
During late pregnancy hormones soften and relax these ligaments, making the pelvis elastic, rather than rigid. This gives the pelvic bones the ability to stretch and open more easily for the birth of the baby.
Image 1-12 shows the bones that make up the female pelvis.
Image 1-13 shows the back of the pelvis and the ligaments that hold the pelvis in place.
Image 1-14 shows the pelvic bones with the ligaments that give the pelvis elasticity.
Positive body points to remember....
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| 1.
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Your pelvis is not fused and DOES stretch and open for the amazing process of birth. |
| 2.
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The baby's skull bones are divided into 5 plates that cross over during labour, making their head smaller by moulding to fit the birth canal. |
| 3.
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Being upright lets gravity help the pelvis to open and aids the descent of the baby during labour. |
Some women find feeling their pelvic bones useful in helping them understand how their pelvis is positioned and how it shifts during pregnancy and labour. You may wish to read
feeling your pelvic bones - guided instructions and pictures.
Updated November 2007
Information sources
Stables D. and Rankin J. Physiology in Childbearing with Anatomy and Related Biosciences. 2004, Bailliere Tindall, Edinburgh.