Forceps are commonly used for intervention in the deliveries of American women. Although forceps may be beneficial to a baby’s delivery, they are not without risk and should be understood prior to labor in order to enable women to make the most informed and educated decision for themselves, their situations and their babies.
What are forceps?
Forceps are an instrument used to aid the delivery of a baby. Forceps most closely resemble a set of salad tongs, however, the spoon like portion (known as the blade) is flatter and longer, and is designed to specifically fit the curvature of a baby’s head. The blade may even be made of a metal outline, rather than a single solid piece. The two flanges are distinguished as the left and right flange, and where the two flanges meet is referred to as the articulation. Many forceps have a locking mechanism on them, allowing the forceps to lock into into position. Some forcep locks are known as “sliding locks” which allow the position of the forceps to be changed mid-use if necessary by using a simple sliding lock mechanism.
How are forceps used?
Typically before forceps are used, the woman is administered pain medications or a regional anesthetic, as a forceps-assisted delivery can be quite painful. In many cases, an episiotomy is performed before forceps are used in order to prevent tears in the vaginal tissue. Once ready, the doctor will slide one blade of the forceps into the vaginal canal at time, placing one on each side of the baby’s head. As the woman’s uterus contracts and the woman pushes, the doctor will use the forceps to carefully pull the baby outwards.
What are some reasons forceps may be needed?
Forceps are generally considered necessary in two labor and delivery situations; fetal distress and maternal exhaustion. In the case of fetal distress when the woman’s cervix is fully dilated and the baby’s head is low, forceps may help aid the speed of the delivery, allowing physicians to address the fetal distress rapidly. In the case of maternal exhaustion, the woman may become so exhausted, especially after a prolonged second stage, that she is incapable of pushing on her own and requires assistance. Forceps may also be used in cases of malpresentation of the fetus.
What are the advantages of a forceps-assisted delivery?
Forceps are most commonly credited for helping women avoid a cesarean and the risks that may com along with a cesarean, such as infection, hemorrhaging and other complications.
Forceps may be used when a woman is too exhausted to continue her labor. Forceps may benefit the woman by taking some of the burden of pushing off of her.
What are the disadvantages of forceps?
The risk of vaginal tears increases when a woman has a forceps-assisted delivery. The risk increases when the forceps are rotated more than 45 degrees. The risk also increases if the baby’s head is higher in the vaginal canal.
During a forceps-assisted delivery, a woman’s bladder may be injured. This is often prevented by using a catheter prior to utilizing forceps, however, in some cases may be unavoidable.
Women who have forceps-assisted deliveries are more likely to require a blood transfusion than women who give spontaneous vaginal birth.
Babies born through a forceps-assisted delivery are more prone to facial and skull injuries.
If the woman has a prolonged second stage, shoulder dystocia may be the cause. If the head is delivered using forceps and the shoulders are unable to be delivered following, this may lead to further complications in the birth.
References
Levine, Douglas. “Types of Forceps Used in Delivery Information on Healthline.” Health Search Engine and Free Medical Information – Healthline. Feb. 2006. Web. 23 Sept. 2010.
Van Hoover, Cheri. “Why Are Forcep Deliveries and Vacuum Extractions Necessary and What Can I Do to Avoid Them?” Childbirth and Pregnancy Resource: ChildbirthSolutions. Web. 23 Sept. 2010.
Johnson, Robert V. Mayo Clinic Complete Book of Pregnancy & Baby’s First Year. New York: W. Morrow and, 1994. Print.
