Forceps or Suction?

[Danni K]

I was just writing my birthing plan and would like any information or opinions on a assisted delivery. I have heard a horror story about using vaccuum extraction which has really frightened me but then forceps seem so harsh and don't seem as popular nowdays. Hopefully this won't even need to be a consideration and bubby will be born naturally without any assistance but really want to be more informed on this topic. I lean towards forceps but would love to hear about your thoughts and experiences. Thanks!
______________________________
Me 32 DH 29
DD 3 years
EDD 23/3/08

[meow]

That's a great question. I have my head firmly in the sand on this one! It would be better to have an idea of which I would prefer it came to it though.

[Arimeh]

If it helps any, my OB has a newsletter that she gives her clients when you first go and see her about her "way" of doing things, and she said in that that she prefers the vacuum as a method of "extraction". I haven't had one personally so can't speak on a personal level - sorry!!

[Alan]

Hi Danni
Good question
My personal opinion is that if used properly suction causes less dammage to mum and baby than forceps

[chepie]

Hi Danni,

Aiden was born using the mighty Vac becuase he was pos and stuck! They needed to get him ASAP as he had digested mec...I had an epi so they just topped that up and gave me a block to get him out... Yes his little head was bruised and sore and ended up in the Newborn Centre for 5 days (because of the mec) but he needed to come out! I prefered that to foreceps as they just scare me

wishing you natural birth babe xxx GL

[visitor1]

Chelsea was vac extracted. She was not crowning and had swallowed meconium. Her heart rate was going to low and they needed her out fast. The OB on duty that day preferred vac over forceps as he said it has less after delivery trauma for baby and mum.

Chelsea came out fine, her her was still perfect shape, the suction mark went away within a few hours, no bruising or anything. I guess the only down side was that my hossy likes to give vitamin K to babies if they are born via vac, forceps or c-section. I didnt really want her to have it but i thought it would be best for her.

If i ever had the choice if go vac over forceps.

I never had an episiotomy (sp?) either....but i did get a 2nd degree tear as Chelsea came out very fast.

[fionas]

I don't know for sure but I would think it would depend on circumstances/position of the baby. My ob didn't give me a choice and used forceps but at that stage my instruction to him was "do whatever it takes" after being in prelabour/labour for three days.

I'd had an epi (which was wearing off) and I'm sure that made a difference to the experience. It felt odd and peculiar but was no big deal. My ob is also pretty experienced with forceps I would say and certainly knew what he was doing. He told me that it would take two or three pushes from me and he would have my DD out. That's exactly what happened. She was perfect, no bruises, no marks and I had two minor stitches. But I think other obstetricians don't use them very often (preferring to deliver 'stuck' babies by caesarean) so are perhaps more nervous and a bit out of practice.

I wouldn't hesitate to have forceps again but I appreciate they can sound scary beforehand!

[Tobily]

I also think vac extraction is probably less traumatic for mum and bub, but I also think it depends on the position of the baby and how low down it is as to which one will best suit the situation kwim.

[Astrid]

I had 3 attempted ve's with DD before they considered forceps and went for a c-section. The damage the ve attempts did to her were not great, they really damaged her ability to breastfeed and caused problems down the track with head movement and reflux. So as with any intervention only have one if need be, not to just hurry things up for other reasons.

[Amie]

Vacuum extraction puts alot of pressure on bubs' tiny little head and nervous system. But on the other hand many obs don't seem to be very adept with forceps and I think they prefer vac extractions maybe for that reason.

As previous posters have said, if it's looking like you'll need interventions make sure it's because it's absolutely necessary and not just to "hurry things along" (that goes for syntocin, epidural, everything!).

[Danni K]

Yes, my main concern is the pressure a vac extraction must put on a baby's head especially where the skull is so soft and delicate. I didn't really want to go into detail about what a family went through but it scares the hell out of me. The delivery of the baby needed quick intervention and they used vac extraction, but unfortunately the baby passed away as a result of severe bruising to the head and brain damage (really sorry about this distressing story ). I'm not certin as to whether the baby had other complications or health problems. I understand that this is probably a rare occurence but one that really concerns me. I'm worried now because I'm having my bubby in a small country hospital and I hope the dr delivering our precious little one will be experienced in assisted deliveries, especially in the use of forceps, if it becomes necessary which hopefully it won't be. I had a natural and beautiful labour with DD and aim to have the same again, fingers crossed.
______________________________
Me 32 DH 29
DD 3 years
EDD 23/3/08

[Schmickers]

DW (who is a midwife) reminds me that vaccuum extraction and forceps are used for different things - vaccuum extraction is only used when the baby's head is almost out and just needs a little help the rest of the way, while forceps are used if the baby is stuck deeper in the birth canal.

So really, it's not a matter of choice, as the decision of which to use depends on the circumstances of your birth - assisted delivery is a medical procedure and the decision is made by the medical officer, in conjunction with you, based on where you are, and where your baby is, in your labour.

[Amie]

Oops, forgot to say a big CONGRATULATIONS on your pg You're almost there!

It's logical to have a fearful response to bad stories, especially pg-related stories when you are pg yourself. I think the best advice to give you would be to empower yourself with knowledge - know your options, know your birth plan (and make sure the hospital staff does too) and, perhaps most importantly, know that you absolutely can have the natural and beautiful labour you so want. The best proof of that is your DD - you know your body can do it!

Fear sets off adrenaline, and the surest way to stall a labour is a big surge of adrenaline. So do whatever you need to do to feel comfortable, capable and happy.

I'd wish you luck but you'll make your own! xo

[Pretty Butterfly]

I have never had a VE but my daughter was born using one forcept! She was posterior, and stuck on my pelvic bone. After an hour of pushing, he gently slid in one side, lifted her head past my bone, and she came out in the next push. Not every forcept or ve delivery will be awlful, just arm yourself with information!! And all the best, and good luck!!

[Danni K]

Thankyou so much Sarah, I really appreciate your encouraging words. Thanks also to everyones feedback so far, for sharing your experiences and to Michael for his knowledge. I know that sometimes we may not be in the position to make a choice and really at the end of the day all that I want is what's best for my baby whatever that may be.
______________________________
Me 32 DH 29
DD 3 years
EDD 23/3/08

[Sammiejane]

I spoke to my OB about this when writing my plan and he said the same think as Smickers wife did...
They are used for different things and the situation would influence what he choose to use.
He did recommended that i wrote in the plan that both could be used, but only in an emergency/high risk situation... as by saying you didnt want one may lead to disappointment as the plan could not be followed or agument at the time.

Maybe you should discuss this with your OB/MW

[Bathsheba]

Just would like to post another positive Vac extraction case here. My DD was almost out, I was exhausted after a very long labour and delirious... she was in distress... a quick suck was all she needed. No long term damage at all.

[~Belinda~]

My Ob used suction on Madeleine because I asked for some help! But she came out just beautiful, a little bit of a cone head but not much and this settled down in a couple of days. She was 8lb 13oz too, I just felt like I needed some assistance as I only had gas and a peth shot. I didn't have a birth plan though, I just went in with an open mind to avoid disappointment if it didn't work out.