WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

What is Delivery with Forceps?

Childbirth
Birth preparation
What is Delivery with Forceps?
In this article, we'll dive into the details of this unique delivery method that might be used to assist your little one's grand entrance into the world.
So, let's get started!
When is forceps delivery used?
Wondering when forceps delivery might be necessary? Here are a few situations where your healthcare provider might recommend it:
  1. Prolonged labor: When labor is taking longer than expected and there's a need to speed things up.
  2. Fetal distress: If your baby's heart rate indicates signs of distress and a swift delivery is required.
  3. Maternal exhaustion: After a long and exhausting labor, forceps might be used to help facilitate the delivery.
  4. Malpositioning: If your baby is not in the ideal position for birth, forceps can help guide them through the birth canal.
How does forceps delivery work?
Now, let's explore how forceps delivery actually works. Imagine forceps as specialized "surgical spoons" that gently cradle your baby's head to assist with the delivery. Here's a breakdown of the process:
  1. Preparation: Before the procedure, you'll receive anesthesia to ensure your comfort during the delivery.
  2. Placement: The forceps are carefully positioned around your baby's head. Don't worry, they're designed to protect your baby's delicate skull.
  3. Guidance: Your healthcare provider will skillfully guide the forceps while you push during contractions, aiding in the safe delivery of your little one.
  4. Precise removal: Once your baby's head is successfully delivered, the forceps are gently removed, allowing the rest of the body to follow naturally.
What are the risks and benefits?
It's essential to understand the potential risks and benefits associated with forceps delivery. Let's take a closer look:
Benefits:
  • Assistance: Forceps can provide the extra assistance needed for a safe delivery when complications arise.
  • Speed: In certain situations, forceps can expedite the delivery process, ensuring the well-being of you and your baby.
  • Avoiding C-section: Forceps delivery may help you avoid the need for a cesarean section (C-section) in some cases.
Risks:
  • Minor injuries: Forceps may cause temporary marks on your baby's face, but they typically fade quickly.
  • Tears and lacerations: There's a slight risk of tears or lacerations for the mother during forceps-assisted delivery.
  • Increased pain: Forceps delivery may result in increased discomfort compared to a spontaneous vaginal delivery.
All I Need To Know
Medical Interventions during Labor & Birth
1 min read
Juliette Seblon
Midwife for 8+ years
L
Lauren
27 Jun 2023

Anyone had to have any instruments used during a vaginal delivery? As in the forceps or vacuum or the monitoring system they goes into babies head… my husband and I have been doing a birthing class/videos and they look absolutely terrifying. If comfortable can you please tell me about your experience?

Childbirth Birth preparation
2 comments
S
Shandy
I’ve had 5 so far and luckily never experienced any of that.
27 Mar 2024

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L
Lauren
I really hope I don’t either. This is my first pregnancy and I know there used only if necessary. But damn, they looks absolutely terrifying 😳
27 Mar 2024

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J
Janet
30 Nov 2022

Hey moms so I’m about to be 4 weeks postpartum I had a vaginal delivery which ended up with forceps being used and had 2nd degree tears, lately I’ve been feeling like shooting pain and burning is it normal? Could it be my stitches or like the bruising or swelling? Shouldn’t I be recovering by now? Thank you first time mom here I have been struggling with postpartum recovery 😭

Childbirth Birth preparation
4 comments
🐺
🐺🌌Tori🌌🐺
It takes 6 weeks for 1st 2nd degree tears and it can take up to 9 weeks for 3rd to 4th dagree tears And I think it's 12 weeks for a C-section
27 Mar 2024

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🐺🌌Tori🌌🐺
anytime
27 Mar 2024

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t
tosha
23 Nov 2022

So my delivery was really traumatic. I think I was screwed over because my ob had 2 other deliveries he was late too and ended up in him having to use forceps on my babies head. Couldn't of he just don't a c section. Now my baby is fussy all the time he's only 4 days old

Childbirth Birth preparation
6 comments
B
Blocked user
I'm sorry you experienced this. This is more common than women realize. Hopefully the fussiness isn't from the traumatic birth. Are you breastfeeding? That should help the fussiness, the warmth and closeness of your skin. I highly recommend a home birth midwife next time you plan on having a baby. OBGYN/hospital births tend to have many issues and a cascade of unnecessary interventions. Many mothers I know have had traumatic birth experiences, and wish they could go back and do it differently, had they known. It's nothing like that when you see a midwife, and birth at home. Far less risky, and it's nothing like what society says about it. I feel for you, mama. I can't imagine!
27 Mar 2024

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t
tosha
He won't latch but I do try and pump some , my ob said I didn't have preclampsia and guess what when I was in labor I was diagnosed and my bp was 205/129 +my sons heart rate dropped and they ripped him out. I feel so robbed of the experience and they wouldn't even let me record. Such a horrible experience to go through honestly for us both.
27 Mar 2024

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