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SUMMARY:The human pelvis and childbirth: reframing 'normality'  - Dr Lia B
 etti (University College London)
DTSTART:20240124T163000Z
DTEND:20240124T173000Z
UID:TALK210559@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Mark Dyble
DESCRIPTION:Human populations across the world tend to have different pelv
 ic shapes\, and this geographic pattern of variation can be partially expl
 ained by the cumulative effects of genetic drift during the early expansio
 n of our species across the globe. Climatic adaptation to very different l
 atitudes has also contributed to shape the pelvis across large geographic 
 areas. Despite increasing understanding of this variation and its evolutio
 nary history\, it is often the case that geographic diversity is ignored a
 nd modern White Europeans are used as the model for human pelvic anatomy. 
 We can see this in several studies of human evolution\, especially of the 
 evolution of childbirth\, but also in more applied disciplines such as mid
 wifery and obstetrics. \nThe description of ‘normal’ childbirth provid
 ed within obstetrics and midwifery textbooks is still usually modelled on 
 a specific pelvic morphology that is common in White European women\, the 
 ‘gynaecoid’ pelvis. There is clear evidence\, however\, that this pelv
 ic shape is not representative of women’s diversity. The human birth can
 al is very variable in shape\, both within and among human populations\, a
 nd differences in pelvic shapes have been associated with differences in t
 he mechanism of labour. Preliminary results of NHS maternal data from Lond
 on confirms differences in labour and in the rate of interventions in wome
 n of different ethnicities. Normalising a White-centred model of female an
 atomy and of childbirth can disadvantage women of non-European ancestry. T
 o ensure that maternal care is inclusive and as safe as possible for all w
 omen\, obstetric and midwifery training need to incorporate women diversit
 y.\n
LOCATION:Seminar Room\, Henry Wellcome Building
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