-By Bushra Hatahet, UK-Trained Clinical Midwife
Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, a baby needs a little extra help to be born safely. This is known as an assisted vaginal birth (also called an instrumental birth).
The two instruments that may be used are:
Your obstetrician will recommend the method that is safest for you and your baby based on your individual circumstances.
The goal is always the same:
To help your baby be born safely while avoiding an unnecessary caesarean section whenever possible.
An assisted birth may be advised if:
Before an assisted birth can take place, several important conditions should be met:
• • You will receive adequate pain relief.
A Kiwi is a small, soft suction cup attached to a handheld pump.
The obstetrician gently places the cup onto the baby’s head. During your contractions, while you continue pushing, gentle suction helps guide the baby through the birth canal.
The suction is released as soon as the baby’s head is born.
Many women are surprised at how quickly a vacuum birth can be completed once everything is ready.
A vacuum may be recommended when:
• • There are concerns about the baby’s wellbeing and birth needs to happen sooner.
You will still need to push with each contraction.
You may feel:
You should not feel sharp pain, and your team will ensure your pain relief is adequate.
A vacuum birth can:
• • Usually causes less maternal trauma than forceps in suitable situations.
Although generally safe, possible risks include:
• • Rarely, heavy bleeding after birth
Most babies recover quickly.
Possible temporary effects include:
Rare complications can include bleeding beneath the scalp or inside the skull, which is why babies are examined carefully after birth.
Your baby’s head may look swollen where the cup was placed.
This usually improves over the next 24–48 hours.
Your midwife and paediatric team will examine your baby carefully before discharge.
Forceps are specially designed smooth metal instruments shaped like large curved spoons.
They fit gently around the baby’s head to help guide the baby through the birth canal during contractions while you continue pushing.
There are several different types of forceps, each designed for different situations.
You will usually receive:
During each contraction you continue pushing while the doctor gently guides the baby.
Once the baby’s head is born, the forceps are removed before the shoulders and body are delivered.
Forceps can:
• • Avoid emergency caesarean section in many cases.
Compared with vacuum birth, forceps generally carry a slightly higher chance of:
Your team will carefully examine and repair any tears immediately after birth.
Most babies recover very well.
Temporary effects may include:
Serious injuries are uncommon.
Occasionally, despite everyone’s best efforts, the baby cannot be delivered safely using the vacuum or forceps.
If this happens, your obstetrician will explain the next safest option, which is usually an emergency caesarean birth.
Your team will keep you informed throughout and make decisions based on the safest outcome for both you and your baby.
Recovery varies from person to person.
You may experience:
To aid recovery:
• • Contact your healthcare provider if you develop heavy bleeding, fever, increasing pain, or concerns about your stitches.
Yes. In most cases, immediate skin-to-skin contact can still happen as long as you and your baby are both well.
Not always.
An episiotomy is more commonly performed during forceps births and may sometimes be recommended during vacuum births if additional space is needed.
Usually, yes.
Having one assisted vaginal birth does not automatically mean future births will require assistance.
Many women go on to have straightforward spontaneous vaginal births.
If you are looking for calm expertise and genuine continuity of care, let’s talk.
