When would they use a Vontouse rather than Forceps?

[NicholaP]

I don't think I've ever heard of someone having to have a vontouse used and am curious as to when one would be used instead of forceps?

 

[starburst1979]

Didn't want to read and run! I had a ventous with my first (almost 15 years ago) and I don't know why they chose that over forceps! Xx

 

[vndeb]

I think it's just what the hospital prefers to use that decides it. X

 

[TeirrahBea]

i think its vontouse if the baby is too far up to use forceps?? xx

 

[pink80]

https://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/labourcomplications/assisteddelivery/

 

[keese22]

I really wish I hadn't read that article! Sounds horribly painful!

 

[sethsmummy]

i think vontouse is used if there the head is not low down enough to get the foreceps on properly as it just suctions to the top of the head. I had both used on me and personally will NEVER allow anybody near me with them again. x

 

[NoodleSnack]

According to our ante-natal class instructor, ventouse is used when they can see the head so they can put the suction cup on, forcep may be used when baby is still a bit higher up. She asked us to write out the possible risks with each method, and we wrote brain damage, to which she said she couldn't find evidence. I would still be pretty reluctant to have them used on my baby.

 

[smileyfaces]

I had a ventouse! Still to this day don't reallyyyyy know why (think LO's heart rate dropped and he was back to back so needed turning...i think!)

They gave me an episiotomy and was told to push when they pulled....he was out pretty quickly.

 

[J04NN4]

My midwife told me they will generally use ventouse where possible and forceps as a second option as ventouse is generally gentler on mum.

 

[sethsmummy]

According to our ante-natal class instructor, ventouse is used when they can see the head so they can put the suction cup on, forcep may be used when baby is still a bit higher up. She asked us to write out the possible risks with each method, and we wrote brain damage, to which she said she couldn't find evidence. I would still be pretty reluctant to have them used on my baby.

not to scare anybody but there is proof it can cause brain damage, it can cause facial damage, bleeds on the brain, dislocation of the neck, damage to the eyes. There are a lot of risks involved as its someone using great exertion to pull your baby out by the head. A lot of assisted deliveries go without complication but there are the few that go wrong with either minor problems or major problems. I had failed vontouse then forecep delivery resulting in baby having swelling and severe bruising on his head and face along with a laceration to the forehead. and iv had problems ever since with pains and the inability to hold urine/bowel movements for long xxx

 

[stockers697]

I asked my midwife this yesterday - she said that they generally use forceps when baby is in a funny position and ventouse if mum is tired and just needs some help!

I am still personally hoping that neither will be used but I guess we will have to see what happens!

x

 

[Dory85]

My understanding is that they will attempt ventouse before forceps if possible however a Google search will quickly tell you the advantages and disadvantages of each.
My LO was delivered via ventouse. She had a hr of 180 at times throughout labour and lots of meconium in my waters so they didn't want to wait too long. I was allowed to push for an hour but didn't manage to deliver so the registrar had to be called. Over an hour is also prolonged second stage labour in my trust. She said I could have 3 pushes with ventouse before they'd have to take me to theatre for forceps.
They gave me a local with three needles in and around my vagina in case of episiotimy (which I did need and is common with ventouse) and I delivered the head on push number 2, body on number 3.
My daughters apgar score was 9 and the only apparent affect on her was she had to have 2 extra midwife visits after discharge due to jaundice caused by the bruise to her head. Personally, its my only baby but I didn't feel her put it on baby, didn't feel crowning and although worrying at the time I also had 2 Paedetricians and a registrar present in case my daughter needed them.
If I had to have it again, I wouldn't even blink. I would keep my eyes closed during pushes though! At one point I opened them and saw the reg pulling as hard as she could from my bits and it horrified me lol (it was the only time I made any sort if grunt lol).

 

[XJessicaX]

My hospital use the suction cup as first choice over the dreaded forceps! In fact, they sometimes offer the choice of a section over the use of forceps! Forceps are nasty things which have a record of causing large damage to the mother and can cause head trauma to the baby. Obviously they have their place in emergencies!
I had my daughter suctioned out as she was in a crazy position and she needed help being turned and it left a bruise on her scalp that only lasted a few days. I refused the forceps so I would have had a section if the suction cup had not worked.

 

[Amy2701]

I had a ventouse delivery with my first, and was told it was because her heart rate was dropping with each contraction so they needed to get her out fast. I got very tired pushing and they then said if she wasnt out in the next two pushes they would need up swap and use forceps... Safe to say I pushed her out in the next two pushes!

 

[starburst1979]

After reading the link I can only assume my ventouse was because I was so tired, I'd been in labour for 32 hours with no proper sleep! My boy was 7lb 14oz and yes had a bit of an odd shaped head for a couple of days, but nothing really noticeable!! He's now almost 15 and has no lasting effects from it at all!! Xx

From what I've seen on birthing programmes too, I think they take you to theatre for forceps but ventouse can be done in delivery suite xx not sure how true that is tho!! Xx

 

[Amy2701]

After reading the link I can only assume my ventouse was because I was so tired, I'd been in labour for 32 hours with no proper sleep! My boy was 7lb 14oz and yes had a bit of an odd shaped head for a couple of days, but nothing really noticeable!! He's now almost 15 and has no lasting effects from it at all!! Xx

From what I've seen on birthing programmes too, I think they take you to theatre for forceps but ventouse can be done in delivery suite xx not sure how true that is tho!! Xx

True - my mum had a forceps delivery with me and had to be taken to theatre. My ventouse delivery was just in the delivery suite. X

 

[Dory85]

I think forceps is done in theatre in case baby doesn't like it and needs a fast c section. I might be wrong though.

 

[New2Bumps]

Very interesting - will be discussing with my midwife c-section vs forceps when I see her to do birth plan.

 

[starblue]

I had ventouse due to malposition acc to my notes. It is far gentler than forceps on both mum and baby. If I needed one again I would have one and most seething prefer it to forces which carry a higher risk of damage to baby and bladder and bowels of mother. Hopefully neither will be needed this time x