Introduction

The foetal head is the most difficult part of the baby to pass through the mother's pelvic canal, due to the hard bony nature of the skull whether it presents first or last. Understanding the anatomy of the foetal skull and its diameter will help to recognise how labor is progressing and whether the baby's head is 'presenting' correctly down the birth canal. That is, the knowledge of this will help to understand whether or not a normal vaginal delivery can take place.

The correct presentation for standard delivery is the smallest diameter of the foetal skull to the largest diameter of the mother's bony pelvis. But if the presenting diameter of the foetal skull is larger than the maternal pelvic diameter, it needs very close attention for the baby to proceed normally through the natural birth canal.

Hence, this session will assist the learner to get familiar with the foetal skull in relation to the maternal pelvis for normal presentation.