If a vaginal delivery is part of your birth plan, the word forceps might make you shudder. But the truth is, it’s important to understand all of the different things that may be involved in helping baby enter the world safely—including having what’s known as an assisted vaginal delivery.
What Is an Assisted Vaginal Delivery?
An assisted (or operative) vaginal delivery is when a tool, such as forceps or a vacuum device, is used to help the birthing person push their baby out. Assisted vaginal births occur in about 3% of vaginal deliveries in the United States.
Why Are Assisted Vaginal Deliveries Done?
While assisted vaginal deliveries aren’t something routinely done during childbirth, your provider may consider one in the event that it’s medically necessary to get your baby out quickly and safely. Reasons for this may include:
- Concerns about baby’s heart rate
- Baby’s head has stopped moving through birth canal
- Mama is exhausted from a very long labor or pushing for a long time
- A medical condition limits the birthing person’s ability to push effectively or safely
Before choosing to perform an assisted vaginal birth, your provider will also quickly consider other factors, like how far down baby is in the birth canal, how large baby is estimated to be, and whether your pelvis appears to be large enough for baby to be delivered vaginally. If baby is too big for a safe vaginal delivery, an emergency C-section may be recommended instead.
What Tools Are Used during an Assisted Vaginal Birth?
The two main types of tools used during assisted vaginal deliveries include forceps and vacuum devices. While there are advantages and disadvantages to each, your provider will assess your and baby’s situation and decide which method would be safest and successful in helping baby enter the world.
Forceps-Assisted Birth
Forceps look like two big spoons, and are inserted into the vagina and placed around your baby’s head. The provider then uses them to help gently pull and guide baby’s head out of the birth canal while you keep pushing.
Vacuum-Assisted Birth
A vacuum device is a suction cup that has a handle attached. This suction cup is placed into the vagina and onto the top of your baby’s head. You provider will use gentle traction to help draw baby’s head down and out of the cervix and vagina while you continue to push.
Are There Risks Involved with Assisted Vaginal Deliveries?
There are a few. Assisted vaginal deliveries are associated with a small increased risk of injury to the tissues of the birthing person’s vagina, perineum and anus. These injuries can lead to urinary or fecal incontinence, which may go away on their own or need treatment through the help of a pelvic floor physical therapist.
Regarding your little one, the rate of injury is low but certain risks also remain. These complications can include injuries to baby’s head or eyes, bleeding inside the skull, or nerve damage. However even with these risks, no evidence exists that assisted deliveries affect a child’s development.
While it might be nerve-wracking to consider whether an assisted vaginal birth would happen during your birth experience, it’s important to remember: your provider will only use these tools when necessary to keep you and your baby as safe as possible during the childbirth process. You’re in great hands!