Obstetric tweezers are an instrument used to remove the baby under certain conditions that may endanger the mother or baby, but should only be used by a healthcare professional experienced in its use.
This procedure is usually performed in cases of fetal suffering, difficulty expelling the baby due to maternal tiredness or if the pregnant party has a condition that can be aggravated by exerting too much force during expulsion.
- The work consists of four periods.
- In which the first consists of dilation.
- The second extends from the end of the dilation to the expulsion of the fetus.
- The third corresponds to the expulsion of the placenta and fetal insertions.
- And the fourth lasts one hour.
- After delivery.
If difficulties occur during the second period of delivery, it may be necessary to use forceps, which are often used to exert traction or correct positional abnormalities, but to do so, the dilation must already be complete.
In addition, the use of forceps is also indicated in cases of fetal suffering, cord prolapse during the ejection period, or if there are maternal conditions that counter the expulsion effort, such as in cases of heart disease, lung disease, brain tumors or aneurysms., whose effort can lead to a hemorrhagic stroke.
The woman should be informed of the procedure, empty the bladder, fully dilate the cervix, perform an effective analgesia and the professional should be familiar with the chosen instrument.
After lubrication, each leaf slides next to the fetus’ head and an episiotomy may be needed to enlarge the birth canal.If there is no descent of the head, even with the use of forceps, it may be necessary to perform a C-section See how a C-section is performed.
The use of forceps during labor is a risk factor for the development of urinary incontinence in the mother and the onset of vaginal or perineal trauma, which is much greater than spontaneous childbirth without the use of forceps.
In the case of the baby, the use of this instrument can cause bruising on the head, which usually disappear in the following weeks.The use of forceps rarely causes permanent sequelae in the baby.
Contraindications for forceps delivery are the lack of conditions to perform the procedure and the lack of experience of the obstetrician with this instrument.