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 baby is not moving well through the birth canal despite lots of pushing
- You are too exhausted to continue pushing
- There are concerns about your baby, and they need to be born quickly, perhaps because their heart rate changes when a contraction happens
- You have a medical condition where you are advised not to push
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:
- Forceps delivery
- Ventouse 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.
What happens if the assisted delivery doesn't birth your baby?
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:
- Discuss your plan of care with you
- Talk through your options
- Explain the risks involved
- Ask for your verbal consent and, if time allows, your written consent for a caesarean
The obstetrician will only suggest a caesarean if it is the safest way for your baby to be born.
Will assisted delivery affect my baby?
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.
Ventouse
Ventouse is a suction cup that is applied to your baby’s head.
The obstetrician will support the baby’s ventouse assisted birth by gently pulling while you also push with your contractions. In most cases, this will require a few contractions to birth your baby.
Forceps
Forceps are spoon-shaped, curved instruments that fit around your baby's head and join together at the handles.
The obstetrician will gently pull the baby while you push with the contraction. This usually requires a few contractions to birth your baby.
Episiotomy
More information about episiotomy
