WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE A FORCEPS BIRTH OR A VACUUM BIRTH?

Medically reviewed by

19th Apr 2021

When you give birth, you may need a bit of help to push the baby out. This is called an assisted vaginal birth and involves a doctor using one of two types of instruments – either forceps, or a suction cup (known as a vacuum).

This is quite common - about one in eight births are an assisted birth, and it’s normally nothing to worry about.

To help you to understand what happens during an assisted birth and why you may need one, here is our guide to forceps and vacuum birth...

Why might I need an assisted birth?

There are many different reasons why you may need an assisted birth, such as:

Your baby is in a position that makes birth difficult, so instruments are needed to make the birth easier.
Your baby is getting tired, distressed or there are concerns about their heart rate – so assisted birth is necessary to get them out quick
Your baby is premature, so forceps are needed to protect their head during vaginal birth
You have an underlying health condition- such as high blood pressure – that means you should not push your baby out on your own

If your midwife or doctor thinks you may need an assisted birth, then they will discuss it with you first and tell you why they think it’s necessary and any risks. They will also tell you what method they plan to use – forceps or vacuum. It’s your choice whether or not to have an assisted birth, so they will ask for your consent.

Before assisted birth takes place, the vagina and surrounding area will be numbed using a local anaesthetic injection unless you have previously had an epidural or spinal injection. You will also probably need a small cut – called an episiotomy – to make your vagina wider and birth easier. This will be stitched up afterwards with dissolvable stitches.

What is a forceps birth?

This is when a doctor uses a pair of forceps, which look like tongs or big spoons, to help deliver your baby. Forceps are specially designed for this and are curved to fit a baby’s head.

During a forceps birth, the doctor will wait until you are pushing during a contraction then gently pull with the forceps at the same time. They may also use a different type of forceps, designed to turn your baby into the right position to be born.

What is a vacuum birth?

A vacuum birth (also known as a ventouse birth) is when a cup called a ventouse is attached to your baby’s head, which is linked to a suction device by a tube. Just like a forceps birth, the idea is to give you a bit of help while you are pushing.

You will not have a vacuum birth if you are less than 34 weeks pregnant, as this means your baby’s head is still quite soft and the ventouse could lead to severe bruising, or even a brain haemorrhage.

Can an assisted birth hurt my baby?

It’s natural to worry about your baby, but an assisted birth is very safe and any effects on your baby are likely to disappear after a couple of days. These can include bruising on the head, as well as small cuts on the head and face after a forceps birth.

Does an assisted birth have any risks for me?

There are some vacuum and forceps birth complications that can affect the mother. Vaginal bleeding may be heavier after the birth. There is a higher risk of a vaginal tear with an assisted birth, but any tearing will be stitched up for you afterwards. When tears are severe it can lead to anal incontinence, but this is relatively uncommon. Sometimes it can be difficult to pass urine after an assisted birth and it’s not uncommon to leak urine after the birth- pelvic floor exercises and physiotherapy can help this problem. Talk to your midwife or GP if incontinence persists in the weeks after birth.

Also, assisted birth means you have a higher chance of developing blood clots in your pelvis or legs, so you’ll be advised to move around as much as possible to try and prevent this. You may also get anti-clot stockings to wear and have heparin injections, which protect you against clotting.

How long does it take to recover from an assisted birth?

Most women recover well after an assisted birth although you may have to stay longer in hospital than expected. Sometimes you are recovering from specific problems related to the birth such as pain from vaginal tearing, incontinence and blood clots.

After you leave hospital always seek professional advice if you are concerned about any ongoing problems. You can resume having sex again when you feel that it’s the right time for you.

What happens after an assisted birth?

A paediatrician (a specialist children’s doctor) will normally be in the room to check your baby is OK after you have given birth.

After your baby is born antibiotics through a drip may be prescribed to reduce your risk of developing an infection.

Regular pain-killers may be prescribed to help you deal with pain related to swelling and stitches especially when you pass urine or open your bowels.