Assisted delivery is when the health care professional uses either a vacuum device or forceps to help deliver the baby out of the birth canal. This type of  delivery is usually recommended if  you have been pushing for too long and are worn out . It is also done when the baby is almost out but the heart rate is disturbing.

The health care professional will first make sure that the anesthesia is working . He will then apply forceps or a small amount of suction to the baby’s head. He will gently assist the baby’s head though the birth canal as the mother pushes through the next contractions.

What instruments are used in an assisted delivery ?

 
Forceps or a vacuum extractor are usually used during an assisted delivery. Forceps are similar to tongs. They have loops on either sides that are used to gently pull or turn the baby’s head in order to assist the delivery through the birth canal. With the vacuum extractor however, suction is used to turn the baby’s head through the birth canal. The amount of suction used to help deliver the baby is usually kept at a minimum.
 

 

When is an assisted delivery necessary ?

 
Here are some of the reasons an assisted delivery may be required.

• the baby is in a position that makes normal delivery difficult
• the mother had an epidural which has made the pelvic muscles which normally help turn the baby’s head and shoulders into the preferred position for delivery  ineffective
• the baby is not receiving enough oxygen and putting him at high risk for brain damage
• mother is completely worn out

 
Your health care professional may also recommend using forceps if the baby is coming out in a breech presentation.

Will an assisted delivery require special anesthesia ?

 
Unless you already have an epidural, an assisted delivery will require some form of anesthesia, usually the pudendal block. During this procedure, the health care  professional will inject a local anesthesia directly into the nerves just inside the vagina. This type of anesthesia is usually chosen by women who have dilated to 10 cm and hoping for an unmedicated delivery but now require a little assistance to complete childbirth. Pudendal block is about 80% effective and its effect do not last long.

Does an assisted delivery have any effect on my baby ?

 
Assisted delivery with forceps have the following effect on the baby.

• there may be small bruises  on the baby that disappears quickly
• there can be red discolorations on the face that normally disappears quickly
• there may be trauma to the nerves on the baby’s face but this is rare
• the baby may be born with a somewhat cone shaped head however this can occur in any vaginal delivery

 
Assisted delivery with a suction  can have the following effect on the baby

• cephalhematoma ( a blood blister on the scalp) can occur and this can take about 6 to 8 weeks to completely heal. This condition does not however have any impact on the baby’s brain
• slight bruising on the scalp that usually disappears within days

 
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