Forceps, suction cups, spatulas: when should they be used?

Forceps: what are they used for?

The doctor can use forceps, suction cup, spatulas when the pushing forces are insufficient ou if you are too tired. It also sometimes happens that pushing is simply contraindicated. This is the case if you have serious heart problems or suffer from high myopia. But forceps are mostly used in case of suffering of the baby, when changes in his heart rate appear during monitoring. The baby must then come out as soon as possible and needs to be guided. The doctor may also decide to activate the birth if the head no longer progresses in the maternal pelvis or is not oriented correctly.

When are birth instruments used?

It is only at the end of childbirth, during theexpulsion, the last stage of childbirth, that the doctor can decide to use the forceps or the suction cup. He must first make sure that the baby’s head is properly engaged in the maternal pelvis, that cervical dilation is complete (10 cm) and that the pocket of waters is broken.

Forceps: how does the obstetrician proceed?

Know that even if you give birth with a midwife, it is the obstetrician who will decide to have recourse to the instruments and who will use them. Regarding the forceps : the doctor, between two contractions, introduces the branches of the forceps one after the other. He gently places them on either side of the baby’s head. When a contraction occurs, he asks you to push while gently pulling on the forceps to lower the baby’s head. When the head is low enough, he withdraws the forceps and ends the birth naturally.

Spatulas, on the other hand, are used like forceps. The only difference is that the branches of the forceps are united and articulated between them while those of the spatulas are independent.

With the suction cup : the doctor places a small plastic cup on the baby’s head. This suction cup is held in place by a suction system. When a contraction arrives, the obstetrician exerts a gentle pull on the handle of the suction cup to help lower the head.

Does the epidural promote the use of instruments?

Is the use of forceps painful?

No. Forceps are performed under anesthesia. Most often, you are already on an epidural. If necessary, the anesthesiologist reinjects a small dose of the product so that the operation is completely painless. Otherwise, it depends on the urgency of the situation: local or general anesthesia.

Forceps: is the baby likely to be more marked?

It happens from time to time that the forceps leaves red marks on the baby’s temples. They will disappear in a few days. The suction cup can cause a small hematoma (blue) on the scalp of the child. Some maternity hospitals advise to see an osteopath after a ” instrumental birth ».

Is the episiotomy systematic when using the instruments?

No. If the mother’s perineum is flexible, the doctor can avoid. episiotomy. Statistically, it is less frequent with the suction cup than with forceps or spatulas.

Childbirth: what if the use of instruments does not work?

Sometimes, despite the forceps, the baby’s head does not come down enough. In this case, the doctor will not insist and will decide to deliver the baby by cesarean section.

What special care after a forceps birth?

Forceps further stretch the perineum and to re-muscle it, perineal rehabilitation is the method of choice. Your doctor will prescribe sessions for you during your postnatal visit. Immediately, if you have had an episiotomy, the midwife will come every day to check for good healing. It can be unpleasant for a while. If necessary, analgesics are prescribed to you. You can also use a buoy that prevents too much pressure on the episio when you are seated.

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