Lottie
New Member
Ventouse or vacuum extraction
A silicone cup fixed to a suction pump goes over the baby's head and stays in place with suction. The mum pushes with each contraction, while the doctor pulls the ventouse. This can cause swelling of the baby's head, but this will disappear in the first few days.
Forceps
These are two spoon-like instruments that fit together and are placed on each side of the baby's head. Again, the mum and doctor coordinate to help the baby come out. The baby may have a mark on either side of his head, or even bruising, where the forceps have been. This will fade in a short time.
Your role
You'll be asked to lie flat on your back; your legs will be raised and supported at the ankles in stirrups. You'll be given a local anaesthetic (unless you already have an epidural in place) and probably an episiotomy (a cut made to enlarge the opening of your vagina) too, so there's room to insert the instrument. This will be stitched up after the birth.
After-effects
You and your baby may feel a bit bruised and sore afterwards. Recovery from an assisted birth can take longer than an unassisted birth. There's some evidence that ventouse is less damaging for you than forceps, but forceps may be less distressing to your baby.
Most mums and babies make a full recovery from forceps or ventouse deliveries.
Avoiding forceps and ventouse
Try changing your position in labour - an all-fours position, or supported squatting, can help move things along better.
SOURCE
A silicone cup fixed to a suction pump goes over the baby's head and stays in place with suction. The mum pushes with each contraction, while the doctor pulls the ventouse. This can cause swelling of the baby's head, but this will disappear in the first few days.
Forceps
These are two spoon-like instruments that fit together and are placed on each side of the baby's head. Again, the mum and doctor coordinate to help the baby come out. The baby may have a mark on either side of his head, or even bruising, where the forceps have been. This will fade in a short time.
Your role
You'll be asked to lie flat on your back; your legs will be raised and supported at the ankles in stirrups. You'll be given a local anaesthetic (unless you already have an epidural in place) and probably an episiotomy (a cut made to enlarge the opening of your vagina) too, so there's room to insert the instrument. This will be stitched up after the birth.
After-effects
You and your baby may feel a bit bruised and sore afterwards. Recovery from an assisted birth can take longer than an unassisted birth. There's some evidence that ventouse is less damaging for you than forceps, but forceps may be less distressing to your baby.
Most mums and babies make a full recovery from forceps or ventouse deliveries.
Avoiding forceps and ventouse
Try changing your position in labour - an all-fours position, or supported squatting, can help move things along better.
SOURCE