It was 36 weeks into my second pregnancy. I was referred to a specialist for an U/S due to GD. He looked at the measurements and said that he would recommend a section at 38 weeks due to the baby’s head size and size of my cervix. I asked when he planned on measuring my cervix before making the decision and he said he didn’t plan on it. Then he said the “average woman’s cervix is too small to handle a 38cm head”
I simply said “Where did you get the measurements for the averages?”
He said, “We make it up.” Very deadpan..think Dr. House.
For the record, my son was born at 39 weeks with a successful vaginal delivery. 38 cm head, no tearing, stitches, or complications.

Whew!

I post ‘em as I get ‘em…and based on some of the emails I am receiving, wow! you have to shake your head and grimace, some of them hardly seem possible. Maybe the submitter is reading and will provide some more background on her story!

I’m guessing this one was a doctor admitting to an L&D nurse, or perhaps after having been cornered by a doula on the matter, after the fact. I highly doubt that s/he would have admitted it to a patient.

I’ve seen some L&D nurses say that they’ve called “BS” on doctors (out in the hall, usually) about stuff they’ve said that they couldn’t back up. Sometimes the woman/baby benefited, if the doctor changed to evidence-based medicine; other times, it was too late; and unfortunately, many times, doctors just persevere, just because they can, want to, and really believe it will work.

I was a doula for a client when she had a c-section for breech. The baby’s head measured 38cm and the nurse promptly said “oh you’d neeeever be able to have him vaginally.”
I said “actually… my son’s head was 38cm, and that was AFTER molding. I’m sure plenty of moms CAN have a baby whose head measures that.”

The nurse replied. “well.. *I* haven’t seen it happen.”

I’m sure she hasn’t been able to see a LOT of natural things happen.
I hate it when caregivers tell mom what her body can and can’t do.