Ventouse or Forceps Birth - the Effects on You and Your Baby

During your second stage of labor your baby will be nearing the outlet of the birth canal but may not emerge after around two hours of pushing. At this point both you and your baby may still be well and strong. However, if she has begun to show signs of distress, or if you are exhausted, it is likely that your caregivers will offer you some medical help and suggest that you have a ventouse or a forceps birth. If you are having your baby at home, should there be any signs of delay or distress on you or your baby's part your midwife will request your immediate transfer to hospital.

In the first moments following a ventouse or forceps birth you may simply feel a sense of relief that your baby has been born safely at last. As long as she is healthy, you will be able to hold her against your skin in the same way as you would after a normal birth. Your partner will also be able to participate in those first precious moments with your new baby. It is likely that you will suffer from more severe bruising following a ventouse or a forceps birth, as well as from the effects of having had an episiotomy and stitches in your perineum (an episiotomy is usually Inevitable for a ventouse or forceps birth). The doctor will attend to the birth of your placenta and then may need to spend some time suturing your episiotomy and any other tears that you might have suffered during the whole procedure. Your midwife can help you to breastfeed your baby, if you wish to, during this time. Alternatively, you might prefer your partner to cuddle your baby until the doctor has completely finished stitching you up.

The doctor can give you a rectal pessary for pain relief once he or she has completed the repair of your perineum. Your midwife will also offer you some milder analgesia, such as paracetamol, and you may like to continue taking this regularly for at least the first 24-36 hours so that you maintain a steady level of pain relief. Some women like to use homeopathic remedies, such as Arnica tablets and a few drops of Hypercal tincture in the bath for painful wounds. By making sure that you are not feeling constant discomfort you will be better able to rest and enjoy being with your baby, feeding and caring for her.

Keeping your perineum clean encourages your stitches to heal; most hospital bathrooms have a bidet and it is a good idea to wash your vulval area each time you have been to the toilet, ensuring that you carefully pat the area dry after washing. You may also find it uncomfortable or difficult to pass urine at first; if this continues inform your midwife.

You will be transferred to the postnatal ward in the normal way, although if you have lost a lot of blood you may stay on the labor suite until your midwife is satisfied that your bleeding has settled. If you need to have a drip set up to help replace lost body fluids you can still be looked after on the postnatal ward.

You may find that you begin to feel a sense of disappointment at not having had a normal birth, perhaps even of having been cheated of the experience. Some women can feel sad that they were not able to give birth without help, or feel concerned that the Instruments may have harmed their baby in some way. Whatever emotions arise for you following a ventouse or forceps birth, If may take time for you to come to terms with what has happened. This is normal. It is Important that you feel able to talk through your experience with your midwife and your partner or others around you, should you wish. Your partner may also feel upset or shocked by the experience and it is important for him to be able to express his emotions too.

After an assisted birth it is possible that your baby will suffer from some bruising or soreness around her head and neck area. If you have had a ventouse birth you may notice a round swollen patch of bruising on her head, known as a "chignon", where the cup was attached; occasionally the forceps "arms" can leave a mark on your baby's cheek. These are superficial and will improve within a day or so. You may also find that your baby is particularly sensitive to touch on her head or even irritable when you pick her up or carry her about during the first few days. Try to move her as little as possible and to rest her head on a cushion while she is feeding rather than holding her at the back of the neck.