Vacuum/Forceps

[Tiger22]

Has anyone had these used? What was it like? Did it put any marks on baby? Or cause more tearing to that area?
The doctor said one of these may have to be used on us. I have a heart condition and they don't want me pushing too much. The plan is an early epidural with vaginal birth and to use these tools if needed.

 

[dizzy65]

I had a vacuum extraction with my son.. and in honesty it was horrible, it ripped his head and it was very uncomfortable.. but it didnt do any damage to me at all just felt really weird.. i am hoping to not have to use that again.. the reason it was used was because his head was sideways so they needed to move his head so he could come out properly

 

[Tiger22]

Aww! how did it rip his head? Is it ok now?

 

[mrscitysmith]

I had forceps and a cut with my son. I had the epidural in and didn't feel any cutting (or stitching) and just felt a bit of tugging as they used the forceps. It was absolutely fine. I think having an assisted birth was a huge fear for me but it shouldn't have been. It was literally one contraction with the forceps and head was out. My son was fine afterwards, no marks or problems. I had to stay in hospital one extra night just to make sure all was okay but it was needless really.

It sounds terrifying but please don't be scared. My birth, even including forceps and epesiotomy was a really positive experience.

Good luck! xx

 

[CormacksGirl]

I had forceps and an episiotomy with epidural!! It was relatively easy as I didn't feel anything, There was no marks left on babys face just a big bruise on the top of his head where he got himself stuck!!

 

[NaturalMomma]

I had it with ds1. It made me tear, which caused more problems postpartum, and it pulled ds1's head too much. These tools aren't very great, nor should they be used unless absolutly necessary. If they don't want you to push too much then you should push up right instead of laying down, and then you probably won't need these tools.

 

[littleone2010]

I had ventouse or vacuum with my daughter. It was fine, didn't hurt me or baby. I probably didnt notice as the the contractions were so intense! Xx

 

[minnieoxox]

They used the vacuum on my little brother because he was a huge baby and wouldn't come out. He had a huge lumped up bruise on his head, and she tore and she said she wouldn't let the use this ever again on her and would request a section instead so that is what I would do. I'm sure in most cases it isn't as bad as that, and this was 6 years ago. They wouldn't use them if they were that bad. Good luck.

 

[Tiger22]

Yea, I'm hoping these don't have to be used on us..! But the doctor said it may have to happen :/

 

[Noelle610]

I had a vacuum delivery. I don't believe there was any damage to the baby. That said, I did have a 4th degree episiotomy and the recovery was very difficult. I was in pain and had trouble walking for about 2 weeks. I was ready to have sex until about 12 weeks postpartum.

 

[teal]

Mid-cavity forceps - awful things. My sons face was very bruised. I had an episiotomy, a separate tear into my bowel and spent three hours in theatre being stitched up. I had a uterine prolapse and bladder/bowel issues which resulted in being referred to physio for months. Three years later and it's fresh in my mind.

 

[mwaah]

They used a ventoues/vaccum on my DS. I was 10cm but his heart rate dropped so it was the quickest way of getting him out.
It ripped his head like a previous post said and at 2 1/2 yrs he still has the scar. He had a hematoma on his his head for about 8 weeks and I teared. After saying that I recovered quickly and my son has no lasting damage.
Having a healthy living baby is all that matters. Goodluck, hopefully you'll just cough your baby out xxx

 

[XJessicaX]

I had a vacuum delivery with my first, LO was showing signs of distress so they had to get her out fast so they gave me a cut and then pulled her out. Bruising to the scalp but that disappeared very quickly.

 

[skc22]

Episiotomy and forceps for me. I had a epidural in. They tried 3 times, and were pulling so hard I slipped off the table, and I tore badly too. But my pelvis is the wrong shape for a vaginal delivery, so she couldn't come out that way anyway. After they did it and before she was born via c section, they told me her head would probably be very bruised and swollen because of the force they used, but she was perfect, no mark in sight.

 

[Dawnlouise30]

Had forceps and epidural with LO. his face was bruised and swollen when he arrived (lasted a few days). His head was a cone head LOL because he was stuck. My recovery was awful (but i have nothing to compare it too and he was a large baby at 10 lbs 7 so that may be why!)

 

[LockandKey]

I had both, plus an episiotomy, first the vacuum, and when that failed they used the forceps to get her out. caused bruising on her face and scalp, they said there was a chance she would get jaundice, luckily she didn't, but during the extraction, one of her neck muscles were torn and she had 4 weeks of trouble breastfeeding, couldn't turn her head to the left all the way, and had to have 5 months of physical therapy to have the damage corrected

 

[alicecooper]

I had ventouse and forceps with DS1 because the cord was around his head. He came out rather battered and bruised, poor little sausage :

no lasting ill effects, but I'd obviously rather avoid ventouse and forceps in future as it's clearly not the nicest way for a baby to enter the world.

 

[cookie25]

I had ventouse with my LO. To be honest I was petrified of interventions such as these but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I imagined. LO had a slightly misshapen head for a day or so and they thought she had a headache from the delivery while we were in hospital so they gave her some medicine. I had an episiotomy and a tear but the recovery was fine. It was just a bit sore if I walked a lot, otherwise my stitches were ok. 4/5 weeks after the delivery I felt physically fine again.

 

[bananaboat]

I myself was a forceps baby and 30 years later I have small scars on both of my temples. My mom said they were just small cuts/scabs when I was born and quickly healed. They're about 1/4" ovals -little indents on my temples.

 

[tinkerbelle93]

I had an emergency forceps delivery. I had an episiotomy to prevent bad tearing. They pulled him out in under a minute and he didn't have any marks on him at all, looked like any other newborn baby. xx