How many bones break while giving birth to a mother? The truth about maternal and newborn bone injuries

September 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Maternal bone fractures are extremely rare during childbirth, but injuries involving bones can occur in rare cases for either the mother or the newborn. Understanding the reality behind the question of 'How many bones break while giving birth to a mother?' is key to separating fact from fiction about the birthing process.

Quick Summary

The idea of a mother breaking bones during childbirth is a widespread misconception; the reality is that maternal bone fractures are exceptionally rare due to the body's natural adaptations, while bone injuries, most often the clavicle, are possible for the newborn during complicated deliveries.

Key Points

Maternal bone fractures are extremely rare: The female body is naturally adapted for childbirth with flexible pelvic ligaments, preventing bone breaks in the vast majority of cases.
Pain is not a sign of broken bones: Labor pain is caused by muscle contractions and pressure, not by bones breaking, and the body releases natural pain-relieving hormones.
Newborns are more susceptible to bone injuries: While uncommon, bone fractures can occur in newborns during complicated deliveries, most often affecting the clavicle (collarbone).
Pelvic issues are more likely than fractures for mothers: Conditions like Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) and pubic symphysis diastasis are more common maternal concerns related to the loosening of pelvic ligaments during birth.
Pre-existing conditions can increase risk: A mother with a condition that weakens bones, like severe osteoporosis, may face a higher, though still rare, risk of fracture.
Proper medical care is vital for diagnosis: If a bone injury is suspected in either the mother or newborn, a medical professional can diagnose the issue and determine the proper course of treatment.

The Truth About Maternal Bone Fractures

While the pain of labor is often intense, the idea of a mother breaking bones while giving birth is a myth. The human body is remarkably designed for childbirth. During pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin is released, which helps soften and loosen the ligaments in the pelvis. This increased flexibility allows the pelvic joints and ligaments to stretch, creating more room for the baby to pass through the birth canal without fracturing the bones themselves.

Bone fractures are not a normal or expected part of the birthing process for the mother. When bone-related issues do occur, they are typically limited to certain, rare circumstances, such as: a pre-existing condition causing bones to be more fragile, a traumatic delivery involving severe force, or extremely rare occurrences like a coccyx fracture. The pain experienced during labor is caused by muscle contractions, cervical dilation, and the immense pressure of the baby moving through the pelvis, not bones breaking.

Potential Bone and Joint Problems in Mothers

Rather than fractures, mothers are more likely to experience other musculoskeletal issues related to childbirth. These conditions are not fractures but can cause significant discomfort and pain.

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)

PGP is a common condition that can occur during or after pregnancy. It is caused by the extra weight and shifting pelvis, combined with the effects of relaxin. It can feel like a sharp, shooting, or grinding pain in the pelvic joints, including the pubic symphysis (the joint at the front of the pelvis) or the sacroiliac joints (connecting the pelvis and spine).

Coccyx (Tailbone) Pain and Injury

In some rare cases, the immense pressure from the baby's head can cause injury to the coccyx, or tailbone. This can be an intrapartum coccygeal fracture, but is often a dislocation or severe bruising. The pain is localized and can make sitting down very uncomfortable after birth.

Pelvic Bone Separation (Pubic Symphysis Diastasis)

While not a fracture, the pubic symphysis can separate more than the normal amount due to the hormonal changes and pressure of delivery. This can cause severe pain and instability but usually resolves over time with physical therapy and rest. Some studies show pubic bone injuries can be detected via MRI after childbirth, especially in women identified as high-risk, though they often present as edema (swelling) or less severe injuries rather than major fractures.

Bone Injuries in Newborns

While maternal fractures are extremely rare, bone injuries do unfortunately occur in newborns, particularly during complicated deliveries. Newborn bones are softer and more flexible than adult bones, but they can still break under stress.

Common Types of Neonatal Fractures:

Clavicle (Collarbone) Fracture: The most common birth fracture, often occurring during shoulder dystocia when the baby's shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pelvic bone.
Humerus (Upper Arm) Fracture: Can occur if the baby's arm is pulled or trapped during a difficult delivery.
Femur (Thigh Bone) Fracture: Though rare, this can happen during complicated deliveries, especially in breech presentations.
Skull Fracture: A rare occurrence, typically associated with improper use of instruments like forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery.

Comparison of Maternal and Neonatal Bone Concerns


Feature	Maternal Bone & Joint Concerns	Neonatal Bone Concerns
Incidence	Extremely rare (fractures); fairly common (PGP, bruising)	Rare, but more common than maternal fractures
Causes	Extreme delivery pressure, pre-existing fragility	Fetal size, positioning, instrument use, delivery difficulty
Examples	Coccyx fracture, Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP), Pubic Symphysis Diastasis	Clavicle fracture, Humerus fracture, Femur fracture, Skull fracture
Prognosis	PGP and mild injuries often resolve with rest and PT; fractures may require specific treatment.	Most clavicle fractures heal quickly; more severe fractures require splinting or immobilization.
Associated Factors	Rapid or prolonged labor, fetal size	Macrosomia (large baby), shoulder dystocia, breech position

Why the Misconception Persists

The belief that mothers break bones during birth may stem from historical accounts, fictional stories, or simply a misunderstanding of the intense, pressure-related pain experienced during labor. Labor pain is often compared to a broken bone in terms of intensity, but they are fundamentally different sensations and physiological processes. The body's pain management systems, including the release of endorphins, work during labor in a way they don't during an acute injury like a fracture.

What to Do if a Bone Injury is Suspected

If a mother or newborn experiences signs of a bone or severe joint injury, such as persistent, localized pain, swelling, or limited movement, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. For the mother, this might involve an evaluation for PGP or coccyx injury. For the newborn, a physician can perform a physical exam and use imaging to diagnose and treat the issue properly. While many newborn fractures, like a clavicle break, heal quickly with minimal intervention, proper diagnosis is essential for more serious issues. For more information on common birth injuries, visit the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's resource page: https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/birth-injury.

Conclusion

In summary, the answer to the question "How many bones break while giving birth to a mother?" is virtually zero in a normal delivery. While fractures are extremely rare for the mother due to the body's protective mechanisms, rare instances of coccyx fractures or other pelvic issues can occur. Bone injuries are more common in newborns, though still infrequent, and are typically caused by complications during delivery. Understanding the distinction between labor pain, maternal joint issues, and neonatal fractures can provide clarity and reduce anxiety around the childbirth process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is possible for a mother to fracture or dislocate her coccyx (tailbone) during childbirth, though it is a rare complication. It is caused by the pressure of the baby's head passing through the birth canal.

For the newborn, the most common bone to fracture during delivery is the clavicle, or collarbone. These fractures usually heal quickly and without complication.

No, the pelvis does not typically break during childbirth. The ligaments and joints of the pelvis become more flexible due to hormones like relaxin, which allows for stretching rather than breaking.

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) is not a broken bone. It is a condition caused by the loosening and instability of pelvic joints and ligaments during pregnancy and postpartum. It causes pain but is not a fracture.

Skull fractures are a rare type of birth injury, but they can occur, particularly if instruments like forceps or a vacuum extractor are used improperly during delivery.

Risk factors for newborn bone fractures include a large baby (macrosomia), the baby being in a breech or other difficult position, or the use of delivery instruments like forceps.

Treatment for a newborn fracture depends on the bone affected. A common clavicle fracture often requires little more than careful handling. More severe fractures, like in the femur, may require splinting or immobilization.