Pelvic assessment and cephalo-pelvic disproportion in Central Tanzania.

Among 201 primigravidae, pelvic assessment was analyzed prospectively during the third trimester to detect patients likely to suffer from cephalo-pelvic disproportion (CPD). If the sacral promontory (SP) was reached by the index finger (9.0-9.5 cm true conjugate) the pelvis was regarded as "suspect". All patients who later developed CPD were in this group. Of the screened primigravidas, 22% were advised to deliver in the hospital. Pelvic assessment is an important screening tool during antenatal care to detect high-risk primigravidas.