Forceps | Glossary of Pregnancy & Baby Term
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- Bambino Mio
- 31 / 07 / 2023
Inside this Article:
What are Forceps?
Obstetric forceps (1) are metal instruments that are sometimes used to help you to deliver your baby vaginally. They are very smooth and are curved so that they fit around your baby’s head. Your obstetrician will very carefully position the forceps around your baby’s head and join or lock them together with their specially-designed handles.
How do forceps help me to deliver my baby?
Your obstetrician places the forceps around your baby’s head (2) then waits until you have a contraction. When you have a contraction and you’re pushing, your doctor gently pulls on the forceps to guide your baby out.
There are different types of forceps, with some specially designed to turn your baby into the correct position for delivery depending on how they’re lying.
Why might I need a forceps delivery?
In the UK, around one in eight vaginal deliveries is assisted (3), which means a doctor uses instruments such as forceps or a ventouse (a vacuum device) to help you to birth your baby.
There are a few reasons why you might need forceps or another form of assisted delivery, including:
- You have an underlying health condition, such as high blood pressure, so you’ve been advised not to push when you have contractions
- Your midwife or obstetrician are concerned about your baby’s heart rate and
- Your baby is lying in an awkward or difficult position
- You or your baby are becoming very tired and your team is worried about your baby going into distress (4)
- Your baby is premature and you’re having a vaginal delivery as using forceps can protect your baby’s head from your lower birth canal and perineum
- You’ve had an epidural during your labour and can’t feel contractions anymore, which can slow labour down
After a forceps delivery your baby may have some bruising around their face and head (5), but this will heal within a week or two after the birth.
Citations and References
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). ‘Assisted Vaginal Birth (Forceps or Ventouse).’ Web. www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/assisted-vaginal-birth-ventouse-or-forceps
- National Health Service (NHS). ‘What Happens in Labour and Birth. Forceps or Vacuum Delivery.’ 2023. Web. www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/what-happens/forceps-or-vacuum-delivery
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). ‘Assisted Vaginal Birth (Forceps or Ventouse).’ Web. www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/assisted-vaginal-birth-ventouse-or-forceps
- Cleveland Clinic. ‘Diseases and Conditions. Fetal Distress.’ 2022. Web. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23971-fetal-distress
- National Health Service (NHS). ‘Assisted Birth. Helping Your Baby be Born.’ 2021. Web. www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby/labour-and-birth/assisted-birth/helping-your-baby-be-born
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