Learn · Lesson 01 of 04 · 3 min read
Your pelvis isn’t a fixed tunnel
A plain-language look at the bones and joints involved in birth.
A structure, not a pipe
The pelvis is a ring of bones with joints. At the back is the sacrum, a broad bone at the base of your spine. The coccyx, or tailbone, sits below it. The joints and surrounding tissues mean this is not simply a rigid tube.
The pelvic inlet is the upper opening and the outlet is the lower opening. The shape and space available are different at different levels, and people’s anatomy varies.
Why position comes into the picture
Changing position can change how the pelvis, sacrum and surrounding tissues relate to one another. It may also change what feels comfortable or supported. This is one reason maternity teams may discuss different positions in labour.
No position creates a guaranteed amount of space or guarantees a vaginal birth. What is possible or useful depends on your circumstances and the care you need.
This is general education, not advice about your body, baby or clinical care. Your maternity team can discuss your own circumstances with you.