ABSTRACT
The fetus is considered the best pelvimeter. Cephalopelvic disproportion and contracted pelvis are causes of obstructed labour and is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcome. Early diagnosis in labour is an important method of preventing full-blown obstructed labour. In low resource situations, any delay in reaching the facility for prompt caesarean delivery may further worsen the morbidity and may even be responsible for mortality. This chapter deals with various clinical and imaging methods of predicting cephalopelvic disproportion. The obstetrician should recognise the contracted pelvis. Labour should be avoided in a woman with a contracted pelvis. Otherwise, it poses a serious threat to the fetus by way of cord prolapse and to the women by way of serious dystocia. This chapter brings about the various causes of the contracted pelvis. It empowers the reader to understand why and at what level the pelvis can get affected based on the aetiology.JIPMER
