Question

Which nerve is most commonly compressed during pregnancy and the puerperium?

• A. Radial nerve
• B. Median nerve
• C. Femoral nerve
• D. Facial nerve

Hint:

Think of the lower-limb nerve crossing under the inguinal ligament during prolonged hip flexion.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Childbirth places several lower-limb nerves at risk through prolonged hip flexion in the lithotomy position, direct compression by the fetal head against the pelvic side wall, and the use of forceps or retractors. The femoral nerve and the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve are the ones classically entrapped in this setting.
Step 2: Among the options listed, the femoral nerve is the answer. It can be compressed beneath the inguinal ligament during sustained hip flexion and abduction, producing quadriceps weakness, a reduced or absent knee jerk, and sensory loss over the anterior thigh. Position-related peroneal palsy (foot drop) and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury (meralgia paraesthetica) are also recognised postpartum neuropathies.
Step 3: The radial nerve (option a) and median nerve (option b) are upper-limb nerves not mechanically related to delivery, and the facial nerve (option d) is a cranial nerve unrelated to pelvic positioning. Hence femoral nerve is correct.