North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

Which type of pelvis is considered the least common among women?

1. Gynecoid

2. Android

3. Platypelloid

4. Anthropoid

The correct answer is: Platypelloid

The platypelloid pelvis is recognized as the least common pelvic type among women. This classification is characterized by a wider transverse diameter and a shorter anteroposterior diameter, resulting in a flattened pelvic shape. While the gynecoid pelvis is the most common and most favorable for childbirth due to its rounded shape, the android pelvis is more typically associated with male morphology and can present challenges during labor. The anthropoid pelvis is more elongated but still a common variation. In contrast, the platypelloid shape is less frequently encountered, which contributes to its classification as the least common type. Understanding these pelvic types is crucial in midwifery, as each shape can influence labor and delivery, necessitating different approaches to care and management based on a woman's pelvic anatomy.