What is a forceps delivery?
In a forceps delivery, the doctor helps a baby into the world quickly with the help of forceps: these consist of two metal blades bent like spoons and connected to each other in a similar way to scissors. They are carefully placed around the baby’s head to gently pull it out.
In the past, forceps were used quite frequently to quickly end the birth in case of complications. Today, only about 0.5 percent of all births are forceps births.
When is a forceps delivery performed?
If, during the expulsion phase of the birth, your baby’s head has not yet passed through despite pushing contractions for a period of 15 to 20 minutes, the doctor will take supportive measures to move the birth forward. This is because there is a risk that the oxygen supply to your baby will be impaired due to the delay. The birth must therefore be ended quickly. This can be done by various measures – one of which is forceps delivery.
Prerequisites for forceps delivery
For a forceps delivery, the baby must be in the normal cephalic position, which means the head is the anterior part of the baby that enters the birth canal first. A forceps delivery is not possible with a child in the breech position.
Also, the baby’s head must not be too large. And it must be “forceps-compatible,” because otherwise the forceps may slip off or not be able to grip the head at all.
Another requirement for forceps delivery is that the mother’s pelvic outlet is not too narrow and the cervix is fully opened. The amniotic sac must also be open.
What happens during a forceps delivery
After forceps delivery, the mother is thoroughly examined to identify and care for possible vaginal injuries.
Assistance with forceps delivery
Forceps delivery is generally performed under an epidural or local anesthesia. If there is more perineal stress, an episiotomy may be necessary.
To help deliver the fetal head, an assistant can provide additional assistance with what is called the Kristeller hand hold. To do this, he or she uses both hands or the forearm on the woman’s abdomen to apply strong but measured pressure on the fundus (the upper part of the uterus) toward the back of the baby’s head. This pressure should not cause the woman any pain, but it may help pull the baby out of the birth canal more easily.
What a forceps delivery means for your baby
You may notice slight skin redness or abrasions on the baby’s head after a forceps delivery, caused by the pressure of the forceps. However, such minor injuries usually heal quickly and without secondary damage.
In individual cases, skull fractures may also occur.
Advantages of forceps delivery
Forceps delivery is a good way to quickly end a stagnant birth. As an aid, the doctor only needs the forceps and no other technical aids. Power supply is also not necessary for forceps delivery.
