(This may have been done before, if so I apologize for not searching the archives first.)

I'm just wondering - is there anyone who had a reasonably positive experience with a forceps delivery?

I'm asking because I got into it with a consultant last week - I will be having a repair on my bits in Feb from DS's birth. It was pretty horrible, ended in a forceps delivery which caused a massive tear, hemorrhage etc... hence the necessity for a repair. We were discussing the upcoming surgery, and while I am of course looking forward to being (hopefully) pain-free in the future, I'm not too excited about having to have surgery. So I made a comment about the mismanagement of my labour (there really was complete fuckwittage by my midwife) and how several doctors after said that I ought to have had a section, and that I think forceps are barbaric. The consultant told me that there are many times when the use of forceps is appropriate and that they often (in fact he said in most cases) don't cause too much damage. He was being pretty snotty about it, actually, and the conversation ended up deteriorating to the point where I told him that he really wouldn't know, would he, seeing as he was a male and would never have a set of salad tongs shoved up his fanjo... anyway, he stuck to the point and said I should ask around, and that lots of women have "good" forceps deliveries. I find tha a bit hard to believe but am willing to be surprised.

So --- anyone? If you've had forceps, was it awful or a "good" experience? Have any/most of you had complications after or been ok?

I had forceps. Bad experience. They gave me an episiotemy (sp?) but when they reached in (bleurgh) with the forceps and DS1 came out, I ripped to 2nd degree tear. This was Feb 2005 and I still suffer with some complications. DS2 ended up being an elective C section, as strongly recommended by the Chief Consultant at the hospital of the first birth.

Had it with DS1, now 14.
Lost soooooooooo much blood, awfull, horrific experience. I'm still haunted by it.

No problems here.

Yup, another bad forceps delivery here, pretty much as per thequietone - I also needed cauterizing (nice) when my DS was 16 weeks old as the episiotomy hadn't healed properly and was giving me problems. I reckon they are pretty barbaric, and currently I'm planning to insist on a section for no.2 (not yet conceived!)

fwiw, I know a peadiatrician who said that if it had got to that point with her delivery she would have insisted on a section, as being better all round for mother and baby

Didn't have forceps but they were my greatest fear because my sister and two friends had such a bad experience of them. Both my friends were close to having corrective surgery and one of them has an unexplained bowel problem that has persisted 4 years after her forceps delivery.

I think your consultants snotty attitude is shocking BTW.

Good luck with getting things sorted. I feel so angry on behalf of people like you and my friends and sister .

oh and good luck with your op

I had my DC3 four weeks ago which ended up a forceps delivery as he had got himself stuck.

I had a small episiotomy, and DS, although he had marks on his face they had all but disappeared the next day. With the help of the forceps DS was delivered in three pushes.

Since delivery I've had a few issues with urinary incontinence, but as my pelvic floor had been pretty shot towards the end of my pregnancy I don't think the forceps are to blame, but they may have exaserbated the problem. My episiotomy has healed very well.

As someone who had two CSs before a vaginal delivery I feel that my birth expereince was a good one, even though it did end in forceps. Mainly because it meant I avoided a CS which was important to me to do so I could put to bed the ghosts of my first, lengthy, over medicalised and quite frankly horrendous labour.

so, although I'm having physio for the pelvic floor issues, I feel that the experience as a whole was a very positive one

Hmm... it is nice to hear that it can go well with forceps but so far it sounds like the negatives outweigh the positives.
Good to hear what the paediatrician said about them, too.

I had a bad birth experience but I am not sure whether forceps themselves were bad.

Had they not been an option I would have needed a c-section and to me that would have been worse. However, the forceps gave DD a black eye and I took a long time to heal from the tearing and episiotomy. I also bled heavily afterwards and needed blood transfusions (this is more likely after an instrumental delivery but it may have happened anyway as DD was huge and I was induced and it was a long labour).

So I guess for me forceps stopped major abdominal surgery after a long labour and for that I am grateful. But they did have horrible side-effects.

No probs here either

I had a similar time to artichokes, a terrible time of it - very long 30 hr labour, DS was OP and was stuck, born with hands in mouth, episiotomy which took a long time to heal, womb failed to contract afterwards and I lost a lot of blood. Forceps also gave DS a graze on the head which did heal after a couple of days. 16 months later I still have pelvic floor issues though not sure if the forceps caused that. When they told me I would have to have forceps I begged them for a emergency CS but they said there wasn't enough time. When I have another DC I will be asking for an elective - though I know that is no walk in the park either but I do not want to go through again.

Third degree tear after forceps but still think that this was probably better than the alternative of an emergency section.

I had a dramatic forceps delivery with my first DS, now 4, which has left him with a small scar under his eye. But apart from this and feeling very sore for 2 weeks, I had no long term health issues and found it preferable to a c section I think.

Nah, DS was helped out with forceps and it was fine. I had an episiotomy and had no problems with that either.

DH nearly passed out though. Wimp.

DD1 was delivered by forceps. Dd1 was fine she had a bit of a graze on her head but it cleared up really quickly. I had a long labour in which she was back to back and when her heart rate started dipping they decided that she had to be delivered right away. I was actually prepped for a section and rushed to theatre where they decided to try forceps first and if that didn't work, which they didn't seem to think it would, I was going to get a section.

The forceps did work but I lost a fair bit of blood and it took me two-three weeks before I felt normal again and by normal I mean just being able to sit down without moaning in pain. I ended up with iron tablets as my blood count was low and I did have an episode on day 2 or 3 after birth where I had no pelvic floor muscle control. I had 2nd degree tearing and quite a lot of stitches and although compared to some stories i've heard I came through it relatively unscathed, it affected me so much that it took years before I could bring myself to even think about having another child.

My biggest fear when expecting dd2 was ending up with another forceps delivery and kept checking with the dr's that if it looked likely I could insist on a c-section instead as I really did feel that would be preferable to another forceps delivery.

Had DS2 with forceps and it took me a long time to recover. I would say it took about a year before my episiotomy recovered. I do think forceps are barbaric and I think I should have had a CS.

In the unlikely event that I have another baby I would refuse forceps.

JacksFirstXmasMama, I think your male consultant was being a cock. Most women just shuffle off after having a baby and only go back to the docs if they are desperate. I would never, for example, tell a man that a vasectomy is a piece of cake. How the hell would I know?

Good luck with your operation.

Oh, forgot to mention my stiches in my fanjo got infected and I ended up with an abcess and had to be readmitted 2 weeks after birth. Abcess was lanced under GA Bitter, moi?

My Mum had forceps with my sister and has had no problems since.

I had a ventouse and episiotomy with DS1 and had no problems.

With DS2 I had a natural birth but he came out so fast with his arm up by his head that I tore quite badly. The pain from this was far worse than the ventouse.

I think that there probably are lots of successful forceps deliveries but we never hear about the positives. Everyone just wants to tell their horror stories.

Good luck with your op.

Had forceps assist for my VBAC, not sure it was totally necessary.....

ended up with cmw needing to snips stitches that were too tight,

ultrasound therapy to break down a haematoma

and two lots of ABs for infection

have a ligth bladder prolapse also, so mooncup leaks, tampons leak and I hate using pads....

If i were to have another child I would be staying at home so they couldn't cut me again!

I agree my consultant was a fuckwit. He was obviously not used to being stood up to and got very huffy about it. I asked to be switched to a female consultant and he was happy to oblige.

Well, so far the negative forceps reports far outweigh the positives.

So.... would a ventouse have been any better in these situations?
I ask because I had a ventouse delivery with DS- episiotomy healed fine and my pelvic floor seems to be holding up well (giving me a wee bit of gip at the moment, but I'm 30 weeks pg, so I'll let it off the hook)... just starting to think about birth plans etc for DS2- are forceps 'worse' than ventouse in terms of damage they can cause to the mother?

I had forceps delivery and episiotomy and needed lots of stitches. Was in agony for about a fortnight afterwards but no long term damage. With next delivery they suggested forceps and I was panicing at the thought but managed to push him out just in time!

I read the thread title as "Forceps - a little pull!"
And thought, blardy hell, my SIL's description was a lot worse than that!

PMSL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was induced, and after 18 hours of labour I couldn't push DD out the last little bit so they tried ventouse twice but it kept coming away from her head,so then they got the forceps out and they dragged pulled her out. No epidural (aneasthatist(sp) was busy with C-Section) and a 9lb 6oz baby at the end of it. They cut me before the forceps and then i had a 3rd degree tear which was stitched in surgery with a spinal <bitter bitter bitter>

Couldn't sit down comfortably for about two weeks but luckily have had no problems in the following 9 weeks, still haven't attempted sex though, too scared!

If i ever decide to have another baby i would def request a CS,it was horrible.

Well natural tearing (so wich I'd had an episiotomy) with forceps for me, ending in infection, massive scarring, an hematoma. Subsequently cortisone injections and two perineal repair operations to get things right(ish). So no!

But then my friend was fine, she never complains of any residual soreness. IME and asking around though, she's quite lucky.
I was forceps and my mum didn't have any more...

I had a positive experience.

Had my delivery performed by a lovely senior consultant - by chance - and she did an excellent job. Episiotomy and then Height (sp?)-Ferguson forceps.

Not had any problems at all and that was over 5 years ago.

Later gave birth to DD2 with only a graze - didn't tear at all.

Just recently had a ventouse delivery, 2nd degree tear and stitches. Again, lovely consultant who stitched me well in the delivery suite.

ds 1 -ventouse episiotomy slight tear -9lb 1oz
ds 2 -forceps (baby stuck) no episiotomy 3rd degree tear 9lb 15 1/2 oz

dc 3 -I WANT A C-SECTION!

I'm a size 8 and weigh 8 1/2 stone and don't want forceps again.

My forceps baby was only 7lbs., 1oz.

BUT, my ventouse baby was 9lbs., 5oz.

God, having been reasonably forgiving of my forceps delivery I am now cacking myself. DD2 is due a week today and now I am wondering whether I might say I would prefer a c-section if instruments look necessary. I really value my pelvic floor...

My 8 lb 10 oz ds was delivered using forceps 16 years ago. It was fine.

GP told me that he had seen many first time forceps births artichokes, but only one second birth. Pre-stretched presumably!!!

Good luck!

I was also a forceps delivery and my mother never had another baby because of it.

I think a lot depends on the skill of the consultant - a couple of friends have had forceps deliveries and the only ones taht had a good experience were those who had head honcho consultant doing it AND stitching them back up.

Worst case was a friend who had a junior doctor unleashed on her with forceps, she ended up with a temporary collostomy bag aged 26. She successfully sued the hospital.

I agree that a lot depends on the skills of the consultant and also on how far the baby has descended. My first DS was lifted out by forceps and it was fine. No problems at all and episiotomy healed quickly.

But - DS was almost out anyway (don't think I needed the forceps but everyone was getting twitchy cos I'd been pushing for 2 hours) so there was none of the tugging, bruising etc that I have witnessed at other women's forceps births.

I wonder how old the people who have a really bad time with forceps are compared to those who are saying it was fine?
I've said this on other childbirth threads but I think age can be a factor for some people.

When discussing birth trauma in general with others here, it does seem that "older" mums as we're called like me (32 with my first and will be 35 when 2nd born) seem to suffer more. My mum was also 32 with me, and we had similar injuries and healing.
My sister had their first children at 20 and 21 respectively and have since had 3 vaginal births each without much tearing. Possibly becaue you are more elastic when you're younger.

So maybe you can apply that rules to forceps?

Or maybe I'm talking out of my ass?

Sisters plural.

I read this thread title as "FORCEPS - a little pull".

ANyway - I had forceps with dd. Episiotomy - no tearing. I did haemhorrage, nut it's never before occured to me it was because of the forceps.

forceps here too with DS1 - bad tear and PPH.

awful things think they should be banned, anyway ... second birth no forceps and only a graze so yes agree with the second birth theory.

BTW I was 25 when I had DS1 - is this considered young these days? If so then the more elasticy theory was not kind to me.

I had a "good" forceps experience with my 1st (from my point of view, not from my baby's point of view). In that I healed fairly immediately and there was no damage to me whatsoever.

However, my poor little DS, we're convinced his neck muscles were quite badly damaged by the experience.

The head control that most babies have when the are a few weeks old was achieved by my DS when he was almost 6 MONTHS old. His head control was atrocious, like a newborn up til then. (His walking etc was within the normal range - 14 months, so we think the head control was from the forceps). Additionally, a muscle lump develped on his neck a few days after he was born and the paed who saw that thought it was due to being pulled by the forceps. Anyway, he's 2.8 now and this is all behind us, quite honestly, I was just grateful he was alive because I was quite ill and my liver was not working and at risk of poisoning him. He was induced at 37+0 which is perhaps partly why I ended up with the forceps. His heartrate wasalso not great in labour and there were a lot of docs and paeds - I think they were desperate to get him out of me.

Don't knwo if anyone has mentioned, but there are different sizes of forceps. I know I just had the smallest one, but some are truly barbaric instruments.

I was 22 when i had DD, she now has a lovely scar at the top of her brow from the forceps. Aren't second babies usually bigger? <shudder>

Since DS's birth I've done a couple of unofficial polls (not pulls, LOL) regarding experience with forceps, tearing etc, and also regarding age at birth.
So far I've found that the overwhelming majority of women feel literally violated by forceps births, and that age (in other words, tissue elasticity) makes very little difference.
You're all supporting what I've found by asking around. The reason I'm asking is because there is currently talk of starting a panel at our local teaching hospital that wants to investigate the number of supposedly "unneccessary" C-sections. I'd like to be part of such a panel to represent those of us for whom the pendulum has swung too far the opposite way - that is, those of us who had forceps deliveries and were left physically and emotionally traumatized in an effort to avoid an "unneccessary" C-section.

DS1 induced on Saturday night, tugged out Monday afternoon with forceps. I was all prepped for CS if forceps didn't work.
I really didn't want forceps (I was forceps baby and have 2 huge scars on my face, didn't want that for my LO), but I'm just glad he was got out safely.
DS2 born without any assistance in just 7 hours.
I was really nervous about having a second baby because of the intervention, but now I've had that 2nd one I'm looking forward to 3rd, 4th and 5th!

Jack - that is exactly why I want a c-section with my 3rd. Ds 2 was stuck at 10pm yet they carried on mamking me push until 1.30am when i SAID NO MORE!!!! The forceps were hideous as ds was stuck quite high resulting in a 3rd degree tear.

Violated is definately a word I'd use

was bad - botched episiotomy - however I personally would rather have that than the average caesarean

I had a forceps delivery with my DD who is now 7 months old. I would say it was a positive experience on the whole.

I had an episiotomy and they tried ventouse but didn't have the right size cup which caused some damage I think judging from the amount of rummaging taking place, plus it hurt and I was shouting at them to stop.

As I only had time for gas and air it was painful but DD was born safely - with slight marks on her face - and after seeing a cranial osteopath later hasn't seemed to have affected her adversely in that way.

I needed some stitching but I was told by more than one person that they made a very good job of it and have suffered no incontinence problems as a result.

On the whole good then.

i was 32 at my forceps delivery.

Dd1 has absolutely no scars. she had very little scarring even after the birth.

but, again, mine was performed by a very senior consultant.

DS had no real 'cone head' from ventouse. again, i got lucky and had senior consultant at the birth, who was only there at that time of the morning (4AM) because he'd been called in to perform two emergency csections that presented with complications.

Lotster I am 35 - hadn't read that far when I posted.

Perhaps what is more significant in my case is that I tend to look at things with a positive spin so my OK experience might be someone else's horrific experience...

Forceps and episiotomy here. No problems since, although rather like muppetgirl I would rather have had them 2 hrs earlier rather than keep pushing all that time while I waited for someone to decide whether dd was actually stuck or not
It's good to know you've had a good birth experience since, AdventCandleQueen, as really the only negative for me is that I worry how things will go with my next.

Depends which kind of forceps maybe - Kielland's forceps are used when baby is stuck high up (DS1 was OP and very very stuck and they used these) whereas ordinary forceps are used when baby's head is almost out.

I had a horrific labout with DS1 - monitored throughout, heart rate decelerating and an epidural that didn;t work properly and then a high forceps delivery, and I was convinced I would need an elective section for the next one. But DD and DS2 were both easy normal deliveries with gas and air!

I deal with medical negligence cases for a living - and the only thing I had on my birthplan was "NO FORCEPS". One too many meetings with Colorectal Surgeons put me off the whole idea.

Ventouse followed by forceps for dd1 (back to back position)delivered by butcher consultant who was absolutely horrible and made me feel like some sort of silly woman who was making a fuss. DD was yanked pulled out and I was left with third degree tears. SHe had a bit of a cone head from the ventouse for a few hours but actually no marks from the forceps.
Not a nice experience.
Luckily dd2 although back to back turned and was delivered without the need for medieval torture equipment!

I had a positive (?) experience with the forceps. Not one mark on DS from the forceps, I had an episiotomy and some 2nd degree tears, but these healed really quickly.

However, his head was massacred by the bloody ventouse that they persevered with for ages as it pulled off a chunk of his scalp and he still has the scar two years later! Next time, just shove the freakin' tongs up my fanjo without faffing with that horrible ventouse......

I had forceps with ds when i was 24 and was fine but took a while for the stitches to heal which became infected.
Had natural births with both dd's following!

I had "no forceps" too, but was so over it by this point I agreed. Had 4 ventouse attempts, the female doctor's hand up me to turn him, and finally the forceps (no idea which ones, she didn't make much conversation with me).

Maybe it was the sight of the C/S team (none of them introduced themselves) also in theatre all scrubbed and ready to go if I'd said no to the forceps all staring at me, that made me just wanted it over with ASAP.

I didn't say this before because I didn't want to scare anyone but some of you already have now, but I felt completely butchered. And my son looked it. Forceps marks on face, cephalhematoma from the ventouse resulting in a three day stay so he could be monitored and have a brain scan.

I have urged my friends to refuse forceps at all costs. The only one who allowed it was ironically the one who was fine thoguh.

I was in theatre to have my forceps under a spinal as c-section was the next step. My friend had a planned c-section and recovered very well and just had the inconvienience of not being able to drive. I, on the other had, had incontinence of faeces and urine. Couldn' go out for ages as I had to be near a toilet. When I did start to go out I had to take spare underwear for me just in case. I had a urine infection which was agony and I still pass wind from my vagina despite havin a scan and a barium enema to see if I had a hole between my vagina and anus. My forceps was performed by a senior consultant who is apparently fantastic at repairs. (My midwife friend tells me)

I also too expressed concerns at forceps and said I was worried about tissue damage. I felt I was dismissed as a silly woman and he said it would be fine. It wasn't.

I am 10 weeks with no 3 and after having ventouse with no1, forceps with no 2 I really just want a c-section.

I had a forceps delivery with dd1 was a very bad experience for me as had no pain relief so found it excruciating had an episiotomy but when they pulled her out also got a 2nd degree tear and I felt myself tearing was hideous.

Couldn't sit down or drive or barely walk for nearly 2 weeks after delivery as I was so bruised and swollen.

Haven't really had any physical complications after the initial recovery but still can't talk about my birth (over 2 years ago) without crying and I have seen a counselor but still can't seem to come to terms with it.

Saying that I have had dd2 since then which was a lovely birth and all happened just as it should have first time but even that hasn't put to rest what happened first time.

Am really at some of these stories.

Surely there has to be another way?

You'd think there'd be another way.
My (admittedly very biased opinion) is that forceps are barbaric. I, like muppetgirl and some other posters, had faecal and urinary incontinence after DS was yanked out with forceps after I'd been pushing for FOUR HOURS --- it really made me want to ask my fuckwit idiot of a midwife and consulting OB at what point they failed to realize that a "natural" birth wasn't going to happen to us... bitter, bitter, bitter. Ditto on PND/ PTSD after the birth (as others have reported), and I still have trouble when reading some of the births-gone-really-wrong stories on here.

Please keep the stories coming, my ideal would be to have hundreds of posts to refer to when the panel is put together. If you know of anyone who has had experience with forceps, please encourage them to post here (bad or good - and I do want to hear about the good as well because what I'd like to present is a balanced point of view that incorporates appropriate guidelines.

I had forceps. Was cut across the side instead of between front and back ifywim, they wouldn't tell me how many stitches and I couldn't find it in my notes. Also had 2nd degree tear but not sure if that was a result of forceps or if I did that earlier (had pushed for 3 hours). After I couldn't stand up for long for a few months and I couldn't hold ds whilst standing as I felt I was going to pull apart. Bit scared what if any further damage this baby will do to the area

DS1 forceps delivery. 4th degree tear, repaired in theatre immediately and colostomy performed. I had the colostomy for 2 years. I'm ok now, but it's not perfect and It;s clear I will have continence problems later in life.

DS2 elective section on colorectial's insistence in a bid to prevent further damage to my pelvic floor. BLISSFUL by comparison.

I had Forceps and Episiotomy with DS(12) had a Haemorrhage after too.Scar got infected and had to have ABs and stitches removed (Ouch bloody Ouch!!)DS had severe bruising looked like he'd been in a Boxing Ring!

Ventouse with DD1,traumatic,but healed well afterwards,and quickly.

CS with DD2,Fantastic!! no problems or pain.

Spud - a colostomy????????????????
From forceps???????????????
Did you sue???

OMG. I am really shocked.

havent read all thread but i wanted to post to say

i had a horrendous first birth, ventouse, forceps, extended episiotomy, infections etc

it haunted me for years and all the way through my second pregnancy

my second birth (which i was terrified of) was a dream in a birthing pool in a midwife led unit - i refused to go into the hospital where there were doctors and said if they made me i would have it at home!!!

just wanted to post so those of you with horrible first births could hear there can be fab second ones

I had mid cavity forceps after becoming exhausted during labour (in hindsight, midwife's fault: she had me pushing during waht I now think was transition - I personally never felt the urge to push and ended up sleeping during contractions! ).

I was already on diamorphine (as they had induced me to move labour on as my waters had brokne more than 24 hours earleir) so they gave me a pudundal block. They told me "it would either work or it wouldn't" - but fortunately, in my case it did!

I was told ds was still too high to attempt ventouse.

I had an epistiomy and still tore a bit but apart form that it was fine. I do have some damage to my pelvic floor but how much of that was the birth generally (ds was 8lb 15oz) or the forceps, I don't know.

It was a female senior regsitrar and she seemed quite good.

I was told that if I had antoher child (unfortnuately have not been able to ) then the birth should be straightforward.

Ds was fine - a wee mark on his forhead, but I think that may have been due to the moitoring rather tan the forceps.

In fact, when I went to see the physion about the damage to my pelvic floor, I actually described the birth as a "natural" one - because it had been vaginal rather than a CS (which I really didn't want) and the interventions had been just part of the porcess. it was only as an afterthough that I said, "oh and I had to be induced after the labout hadn't progressed suficiently and ended up with mid cavity forceps" [

My stitches got infected too, big flippin boils before anyone noticed. Caused some stiches to burst, extra scarring - I think it was the main cause for the repair ops, the PTSD and general nightmare that followed the birth.

I don't understand why, when forceps give you a need for quite a few stitches, and the site of them being next to your rectum (or for some people in it) that we aren't given antibiotics. I will be given at least one dose after my c/s, which I know is a much bigger deal in some ways, but as the consultant said it isn't next to your bottom!

Given how run down most women are by the time it gets tot he forceps stage, not giving anti-biotics isn't very clever IMO & IME. (And I'm usually someone who avoids them TBH).

my brother was a forceps baby, mom didn't have any problems post-birth.. but then he WAS only 5.8lbs lol, he just didn't want to come out.

I don't know how much things may have changed over nearly 40 years (yikes!), but I was a forceps delivery. My mum needed a blood transfusion, many stiches and though she didn't receive it, would probably have benefited from some sort of trauma counselling. Sorry to hear you had such horrible experience.

First birth when I was 33, was long drawn out, unpleasant and ended with an episiotomy and forceps. Recovery was fine and it was the right thing to do. DS1 didn't look too pretty for 24 hours, but recovered quickly.

Was pretty worried when DS2 was coming...but he came quickly and naturally and was a "good birth".

Meant to say I was 39 when I had ds - so hardly a spring chicken!

I had forceps and although wouldn't do any cartwheels about the experience [especially right afterwards :0] it wasn;t too bad, with no longer term effects.

I had a postive experience of forceps. It ended my 4 hours second stage and got DS1 out.

I had to be cut obviously but the stitches healed OK and were taken out a week later as they were getting uncomfortable and I was pretty much healed anyway.

No complications at all. The birth of DS2 caused a minor tear along the line of the scar of the cut but not badly enough to need stitches.

No problems after mine, also had an episiotomy. And I didn't have a 'head honcho' perform it, just a very good registrar!

It really is the skill of the operator that will determine the outcome.

ihad forceps with dd1

was it a positive experience? yes - my baby was born alive

i had 3 stitches and a big haematoma - which healed well and ive had no other problems

had dd2 with no forceps and no stitches or tears

i remember 2 days after dd1 was born the physio appeared with an ultrasound thingy she had kept in the fridge - god those gentle icy cold vibrations on my sore bum were HEAVEN

had 3 stitches after episiotomy
didnt want to tear

forcepts delivery with ds1. Third degree tear. So pretty bad. baby had bruised arm as a result too

I had forceps with DD, I wont say it was a 'good' experience but it certainly wasn't a 'awful' experience. They gave me an epitostomy (SP?) and took ages to sew me back up but I never tore and do not have any problems now because of it.

I will, however, with this lo do things differently I am a bit more wiser and will not just do as I am told even if I don't want to as I did with DD.

I think some consultants like to think hat their word is gospel and we mere women should do as we are told etc. On the other hand I met some really nice consultants when PG with DD, who took the time to answer my questions and listen to what I wanted.

A more fascinating poll would be whether the children, from births where forceps were used, have movement difficulties.

That's a good question too, I am going to see how many more answers I get on this thread before it wears out and then I might post that question - unless you beat me to it

I had a failed ventouse then forceps delivery with DD1 and I agree with those who say it is barbaric. I would, without any shadow of a doubt, have been better off having a CS. I never had an episiotomy (the registrar told me there wasn't enough time?) and ended up with a 3rd degree tear, lost a lot of blood and now have a complete fear of being anally incontinent later in life. Fortunately with DD2 I did not repeat that awful experience and had a lovely vaginal delivery.

Bump.

I had forceps and episiotomy. I thought it went fine, DS was born after two pushes. I had been in labour for 25hrs and he had descended very well, but had become distressed and turned and got stuck. They told me to have the epidural - after 24hrs of doing it on g+a only

I had no problems with it as far as i can see - couple o stitches and I never even notice the scar. I was more annoyed with the epi which had given me one hell of a sore back and serious headaches.

I was 20, and my son was 7lb 12oz

what is the alternative if they start saying forceps are necessary? ask for an emergency section instead?

Think so. I had to sign the C/S concent form before the ventouse/forceps started.

Depends on whether they give you the option / think forceps might not work I suppose. Given that my baby had a good heartbeat throughout, I can only imagine the rush they all seemed to be in was down to getting the theatre cleared ASAP, as oposed to what was best for me. It certainly wasn't forceps.

I had forceps deliveries for both ds1 and ds2.

The first time was fine - better than fine in fact cause I was sooo close to a c-section (didn't realise that forceps deliveries weren't usually carried out in theatre with a full epidural ). And I healed really fast afterwards.

With ds2 (big baby got distressed at the 11th hour) the experience itself was fine but healing is taking a lot longer. 4 months for the scar tissue to stop being really quite sore and 9 months down the line am still not really back to normal but am getting there.

I would not like another forceps delivery (quite a lot of scar tissue now) but have no issues with the 2 I have had.

my sister, sil and best freind all had horrific experiences with forceps.

one never had any other children because she coulnt do it again

2 had surgery later

the 3rd had to have cs for all her subsequent babies.

i refused to have forceps because of this

Hi I'm a newbie here

I am so glad I found this post. I have just spent the last half hour sobbing away at your stories ( I don't know why )...good and bad ones. When the doctors describe the birth as a traumatic birth, that is exactly what it is, isn't it.

My forceps birth ( 11 wks ago )still seems to be a complete blur, like I was there but not there if you see what I mean. Baby would not come out after 1 hr of pushing and heartbeat was dropping. They tried the ventouse and that did not work, then they said they would try forceps and if that did not work then I would have to have a c-section.

I just remember the midwife coming into the room with a selection of forceps, held them out to the doctor and said "which pair would you like". I also had an episiotomy, did not tear but the doctor said I had 4 stitches but it seemed like he was stitching me for ages and also had an audience because he was showing a trainee what he was doing.

The next day, one of the midwives said lucky I had an experienced doctor for my birth otherwise the inexperience ones would have opted for c-section straight away rather than forceps...well I don't know if that was a good or bad thing.

When baby was delivered, her head was a strange shape, had very bad bloodshot eyes,a big red mark down the whole side of her face and skin was 'dented', about 1nch long. The mark and dent has slowly got better and is nearly cleared up after 11wks but still a very small 'dent' which I hope will clear up.

When the midwives came to check me they said I had healed very nicely. I have not checked 'down there' for ages but I am going to later. I have had no bad pains but sometimes when I am standing for a longer period of time, it feels like there is some pressure and an 'aching' feeling down there, or if I sit for too long on hard surface it starts to feel uncomfortable. Not sure if it is due to forceps but I think it will never be the same down there after the birth.

If I have another child, I will not opt for forceps, I will go for c-section without a doubt as I do not want to take risk that the baby will come out with marks on the face that will not go or have damage to the head.

Hi WG, hope you feel a bit better after your cry!

WB - you can really help to reduce scar tissue and sensitivity at any time, by massaging it daily with a good oil containing vitamin e (wheatgerm is good). Use small, firm, circular movements.

Oh WG sweetie... (((((HUGS!!!!)))) I'm so sorry you joined the traumatic birth club. I never got to see the forceps they used... good thing, I think, my head would probably be even more messed up than it is. My baby's birth is a blur, too - a confused image of the operating theatre, lots of yelling, shouts at me to "push, push, PUSH"... I have no actual memory of him leaving my body, only a weird flash of something blue and white and covered in blood being put down on me for a second and then whisked away and me screaming "is he ok, is he breathing, I can't hear him, I can't hear anything" ---ok, before stop I make myself fall apart ... anyway
There are a couple of threads around about this sort of thing. Since you seem to have healed well, you probably don't need to visit the TMI threads (the ones about incontinence etc).
Just wanted to add, the ache and pressure you're feeling is normal after forceps. It can last for months, sadly. Mine went away after about 6 months, I think, not completely but enough so I don't have to think about it all the time.
Congratulations on DD's birth, BTW!! I hope the rest of her dent clears up quickly.
xxx

Having been a midwife I wrote "I will not consent to a forceps delivery" on my birth plan - didn't half cause a fuss with my consultant. Ended up with a caesarean at 43 weeks for failed induction and huge baby anyway.

And I'm betting you were the lucky one at that!

Can you tell us what you've seen regarding forceps in your professional career?

I always just thought they looked a bit brutal and the thought of trying to care for a baby while nursing a sore and torn fanjo did not appeal.
Lots of blood loss, usually a big cut plus horrible metal object being inserted. Baby with a forceps mark (and sometimes an injury).

I have to say they do not always cause such problems but I would much rather have a caesarean or a ventouse (suction) type birth than a forceps one.

The key is in having an experienced operator of the forceps - one who knows when to use and when to say " this will be a difficult birth and a section would be better".

I did not have faith that I would get such a person - more like an exhausted doctor whose good sense had been knocked out of him/her by lack of sleep.

No way would I have consented.

Oh and I agree with the OP - some doctors see their word as gospel and we are mere women - stupidly pregnant and having to be told "be a good girl".

jollypirate I too have got 'NO FORCEPS' written on my birth plan. What will happen if I don't consent to them being used? Will it affect them giving me an epidural in the first place? Would I automatically be sent for CS at the first sign of the baby not descending properly?
I can just see the situation in the delivery room with the doctors saying 'ooh your baby will die if we don't use forceps to get him out now' in some kind of vain attempt to overide my wishes. Is this likely to happen?
Sorry for al the questions!

I had a forceps delivery 16 weeks ago and have to say I found it ok. I had just had an epidural however which made things less traumatic, but then the baby's heartbeat disappeared and they had to get him out fast. Luckily I was fully dilated so it was a forceps job rather than a c section. This meant he was born within 5 minutes and avoided any further delay and I am very grateful for this. He was fine - only a funny bruise on his face which faded in 2 days and so far I have been fine and my episiotomy healed well. I am very sorry to hear all the horror stories out there but thought I would post my positive experience.

liznay I had "NO FORCEPS" on my birth plan - it went fine - i did end up with an emergency c-section but dd was back to back and I had been going on for 55 hours and put on a drip so it wasn't as if they hadn't tried to get me to give birth naturally. I was lucky in that I wasn't really in an emergency situation so it was all very calm and straightforward.

I think the tricky bit is if the baby has descended quite far - it really then has to be a matter of medical judgement whether it would be nore risky to go with a c-section or to try forceps.

I had a forceps delivery after 2 days of induction. I was pushing for over 2 hours and she was nearly out. No idea why they decided to use forceps (much too out of it to know what was going on) but she came out in three pushes with them. That was the good bit - and I am so grateful I didn't end up with a section at 43 weeks and after all that time in labour. Less good was that despite an episiotomy, I ended up with a third degree tear, big blood loss, rush into theatre etc etc. I was on a cocktail of drugs for ages afterwards and took me ages to even vaguely be able to think about the birth without breaking down. My GP told me that it takes 3 months minimum to recover from forceps - that was at 8 weeks and no one had told me anything like that up to then. Instead I got a look of pity from the woman at my 6 week check when I said me and DH hadn't had sex yet. She said "oh, are you scared?" More like I can't even sit down properly.