Labour is different for every mum and baby. In some cases, your baby may need additional help to be born safely. Assisted delivery might be required because:
The obstetrician on the labour ward will explain why your baby needs help to be born and what will happen during the delivery. They will take your consent and answer your questions before performing procedures and interventions.
There are two methods of assisted delivery:
Your obstetrician will advise you on the safest and best type of delivery for you and your baby. For mums who need an assisted vaginal birth at less than 36 weeks of pregnancy, forceps delivery is the preferred method.
You may be given a local anaesthetic before these procedures to reduce any pain you may feel. Sometimes, the doctor may undertake the assisted delivery in theatre rather than a delivery room so you are in the right place if the assisted delivery does not help your baby to be born within a few contractions.
If your baby is not born within a few contractions despite this assistance, the obstetrician may feel it is safer to proceed to an emergency caesarean.
The obstetrician will:
The obstetrician will only suggest a caesarean if it is the safest way for your baby to be born.
The suction cup will usually leave a mark on your baby’s head, but this usually fades quickly. In around 1-12% of cases, it may also bruise your baby’s head (known as cephalohaematoma), but this should resolve relatively quickly.
Forceps delivery will generally leave marks on your baby’s head, but they usually disappear within 48 hrs. Occasionally, small cuts can happen to your baby’s face or head, but these will heal quickly.