Abstract

In summary, a borderline pelvis is no longer a problem to the competent obstetrician. The adequacy of such a pelvis depends upon the size and position of the fetus and the force of the uterine contractions in relationship to the size of the pelvis.(1) Clinical evaluation of the capacity of the pelvis can best be made by the fetal head. This can be done only by trial labor.(2) Trial labor is essentially the management of the borderline pelvis. The patient should be permitted to continue in labor as long as there is evidence of progress.(3) The obstetrician must be prepared to terminate labor by both routes; he must be able to lay down the forceps and pick up the scalpel.(4) Finally, do not make obstetrical cripples out of these women. Permit them a trial of labor.