Are forceps commonly used in C sections to get the baby out?

[LimeSlice]

Yes, forceps were used in mine.
And yes, 3 different obs (at different hospitals) have told me that forceps are somewhat a matter of routine, but I get the impression that is more to do with the Ob preferences and training themselves, than the procedure, itms.

I think what doesn't look gentle, in terms of augmented extraction, and what is actually rough, though vary largely from simply watching it. As in, although it looks hideous, sometimes it actually isn't that rough in respect to the pressure being used. My DH was horrified when they used the vacuum to extract DD2, although that was actually a very gentle extraction.

HTH

ETA: The incision for a cs is only about 4inches, and you are pulled open using retractors, so when you think about it, getting a full sized male hand in there, let alone two, to retrieve a very slippery, moving being, whilst being gentle and careful etc would be beyond difficult and may lead to tearing etc. Forceps are often a safer option I would imagine, and possibly a trade off for having a small, neat wound site.