Forceps delivery
A forceps delivery is usually performed when a mother in labour is having difficulties in giving birth to her baby.
Forceps are metal implements shaped like long spoons, which are placed on either side of the baby's head and can be fixed in place. Before inserting the forceps, your obstetrician will need to enlarge the vaginal opening by performing an episiotomy. If you have had an epidural, you will not feel anything, but if you have not, your midwife or obstetrician will inject local anaesthetic into the area before making a cut. The baby will be delivered by the combined effort of the mother pushing and the obstetrician using the forceps.
A ventouse, or vacuum method, is also another choice of assisted delivery.
There is some slight risk to the baby associated with forceps delivery:
- Damage to the baby's facial nerves can occasionally happen, but this is generally temporary and corrects itself within a few days
- The baby may suffer from a broken collar bone as a result of forceps delivery on very rare occasions
- The baby's face may be bruised by the forceps
All Dr Foster health content is provided for general information only and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional, or relied upon as a source of comprehensive practitioner material.
All Dr Foster health content has been peer reviewed by GPs and is updated anually when necessary.
Dr Foster is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made or treatment given by a user based on the content of the supplied health content. Dr Foster is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.
Always consult your own GP if you are concerned about your health.