Forceps Forced Delivery
Forceps look like large sugar tongs and are designed so that they will fit snugly over the sides of the baby’s head, covering the ears. They are rather like a cage and protect the head from any pressure within the birth canal.
The decision to use forceps is a medical one. Forceps are only applied when the first stage is complete, the cervix is fully dilated and the head is in the birth canal
Why it is done
Forceps are used when the baby`s head has descended into the mothers pelvis but fails to descend further; when the baby is presenting in a posterior position; in a breech delivery (see opposite); when the uterus fails to maintain contractions; and when the mother lacks the strength to push out her baby. Nowadays, nearly all premature babies are delivered by forceps to protect their delicate skulls from being compressed in the birth canal.
How it is done
You will be asked to lie on your back and your legs will be put up in stirrups. A local anaesthetic will be injected into your perineum, and an episiotomy performed. Then the forceps will be inserted into your vagina one at a time. A few gentle pulls on the forceps, 30-40 seconds at a time, will bring your baby`s head out. The rest of his body will be delivered as usual
Tags: anaesthetic creams, antiseptic, Baby, Birth, birth canal, Canal, episiotomy, Forcep, Healing, Hygiene, Irritation, LABOUR, posterior position, Premature, Skin, Urinate, Vital, Wound
