Anyone refused forceps and insisted on cs

[Floozie66]

After reading all the horror stories fro forceps i have come to the conclusion that a lot wonen are left with more gynae problems following forceps which are often left untreated by the nhs compared to problems following cs. Therefore if push comes to shove i would elect cs over forceps delivery - mw had also advised that baby can be pushed back up to facilatare this. Jusy wondering if anyone had a major battle with the obstetrician regarding this choice or was pushed into forceps delivery by saying it was too late for a cs

[MrsBellefleur]

No experience but place marking as I worry about the damage done by forceps and would much prefer a c section if it came to it.

[Mum2jenny]

Ventouse delivery may be an option?

[LittleRed90]

I was in a lot of pain during labour and my DD was coming out back to back/face up and not moving down the canal. It had been hours and I was screaming for someone to help me (I didn't care how at this point and my contractions had stopped)... I was told that it was too late for a c-section. They didn't end up using the foceps, they left it a while until she came down on her own but my god... I wish I could have had that c-section. It's worth mentioning that I didn't give birth in the UK and there was a language barrier. If I ever got into that situation in England (i'm currently pregnant with number 2 and dreading labour due to my bad experience), I would certainly opt for a c-section. I'm still 'not right' after all of that.

Sorry, I hope I haven't scared you too much . I do know a few women who have had forceps delivery and both themselves and their babies were just fine!! :)

[Traalaa]

Ventouse is what they usually try before forceps. Didn't work for me. They asked if I was okay with forceps, but I didn't really feel I had much choice as things were so far progressed by then. I think delaying while prepped for a c-section could have hurt the baby. Interesting what your midwife said about pushing the baby back to facilitate it, but I'd bet it's not always easy!

[Sploozle]

It would be explained to you at that point what is the safest way to deliver your baby. A CS in the late second stage of labour is not necessarily the best option - the risks to you are higher and if the baby is that far into your pelvis can risk serious damage including a fractured skull being pushed back up.
Rather than regarding it as a battle with an obstetrician, consider that they will be weighing up what is the best for both of you and take their advice - you all want the best outcome after all.

[hazeyjane]

A C-section can come with a fair amount of trauma of it's own.

[NameChange30]

"mw had also advised that baby can be pushed back up to facilatare this."

Eh?!!! How on earth is that possible or safe?! I've certainly not heard of it! It sounds like complete nonsense to me. I would have thought that if your baby is still inside your uterus, they can do a c-section, and if your baby is already in the vaginal canal, it has to come out that way. Forceps would only be used if there is no other option, surely.

I've heard that there is an increased risk of forceps/ventouse delivery if you have an epidural. So I suggest you either request an ELCS now, or aim for a vaginal birth without an epidural.

[babynugget]

I had a double forceps delivery as baby was lying in an awkward position. When they told me what was happening I had been pushing for 6 hours and was pretty spaced. I didn't know until the next day that they had used Keilands (sp) forceps to turn the baby and then normal ones to remove her. What I also didn't fully inderstand when they took me to theatre was this is known as 'trial' forceps. This means they take you to theatre and you are prepped for a forceps delivery and a CS. There are two teams in theatre (about 100 people as I recall!!!). There would be one shot at getting baby out and if it hadn't worked it would have been CS. In my case the forceps worked with no damage to baby. I have had some issues but nothing compared to some of the stories I hear.

What I did not know until after is that these Keilands forceps are banned in 90% of NHS hospitals as there are terrible risks to the baby from using them. I've read heartbreaking stories about this. I'm posting this because I had in my birth plan that I did not want forceps used, however when they explained to me that my baby was essentially stuck I don't really know what option I had. She was so far down the birth canal that a CS would have also been risky and I don't know exactly how the baby is pushed 'back up' in this situation but suspect there are also risks with this. I wish I had been better informed at the time but not sure my decision would have been any different. You are right to inform yourself of your options in advance so that if you find yourself in this position you can make a decision based on facts. Everything was explained to me so matter of factly I didn't even think to question any of it at the time.

[Flixy102]

namechange30 Once of the things I remember from my EMCS is the doctor telling me that they were going to push DS back up a little bit to enable the c-section. He was fairly stuck in my pelvis so certainly not in the birth canal but obviously sitting fairly low due to me trying to push him out. I assume that's what the op meant, rather than pushing a baby back into the womb (ouch!)

[NameChange30]

Ah ok fair enough!

I thought the decision to use forceps was always made later, when the baby was in the birth canal, but I don't know that much about it clearly!

[spiney]

Namechange30 My baby was pushed back up to facilitate an emergency section. He had got 'stuck' with a tipped up head ( could never have been birthed vagin ally it turned out ) I think a mid wife did it. I was so blissed out with an epidural after several hours of awful labour that I can't really remember much about it.

[AntiQuitty]

ds1 was a c-section. He wasn't coming down at all.

ds2 was forceps. I actually held the pen for the consent forms above my head demanding that I not have have the high forceps whatever they are but a c-section instead. They told me they wouldn't be using those forceps as he was too far down and at that point it was more dangerous for the baby to be shoved back up.

[LaPharisienne]

I had forceps with absolutely no issues. I would always focus on the best thing for you AND the baby at the time, on which your hospital will advise you AT THE TIME.

Birth plans are not something you can plan and rely on.

[Gardencentregroupie]

DD got stuck from lifting her head when she was nearly out. My intentions had been to refuse forceps but she was so far descended they would have needed forceps to pull her back up to allow a cs. Plus it would have been dangerous for both of us. Therefore it absolutely needed to be forceps.

[RNBrie]

You can always insist and refuse the suggested course of action.

But then what happens is that they explain the risks of what you want and make it sound so awful that you go along with their plan. If you think you might want to choose an option that goes against protocol then I'd hire a doula or independent midwife whom you trust to advocate on your behalf.

[Itmustbemyage]

I had a forceps delivery with my oldest DS (28 years ago) both of us were fine. I had no damage and have had no problems since.
My son was in distress and had to be born quickly, forceps were the quickest way. I had never wanted a cs unless it was absolutely necessary and the thought of them shoving my son back up, while my body was labouring to push him out, so that I could have a cs sounds horrendous. My next DS was born easily without a need for forceps or a cs but if necessary I would have made the same decision again.

[babynugget]

Some very sensible advice on here and yes I do believe that they made the right decisions in my situation as all turned out well. I just remember the feelings of shock afterwards when I found out the full details. I think however you deliver your baby OP you need to prepare for all sorts of emotions and possibilities. I would also add that despite what I experienced and my short term issues afterwards I was too busy being completely besotted with my baby to let it effect me too much.

[Laineymc7]

All I can say is that you've got to trust that they will do their best to ensure the baby arrives safely. I also had the two teams in theatre for dd one. She was back to back and got stuck. She was too far down the birth canal so was safely delivered by forceps. I did have a third degree tear but my baby was delivered safely and that's the main thing. I've recovered from the 3rd degree tear. My second baby was breech and was delivered by c section. Both recoveries are very different. All I would say is keep an open mind. Every labour and pregnancy is different.

[Zoe1983]

I hadn't "wanted" a forceps birth (who does?!) but my daughter had a 9 minute bradycardia (her heart rate was in the 70s - to put that in perspective under 60 and they'd be doing CPR on her). My cervix was fully dilated and given the time it would take for me to either push her out or for them to get me to theatre and do a caesarean; forceps saved her life.

I really dreaded it but I honestly didn't care at the time, even after a history of abuse, all I wanted was for her to be okay. I had an epidural and it honestly wasn't too bad (and she was rotated first). I was sore sitting down for about 5 days after, but then fine. I religiously did pelvic floor exercises straight away and have also been fortunate to not have any continence issues either.

[TheWrathFromHighAtopTheThing]

I had a Keillands forceps delivery with DD; she was back to back and didn't move down hardly at all.

It was 100% fine - not a mark on DD, and I had stitches, but they healed perfectly well and I've never had a day's bother with them. I literally pushed once and they brought her down as I did so.

I know that there are risks associated, but I'm glad that the situation didn't escalate to an emergency CS, where I'm sure I would have had a far harder recovery.

[Floozie66]

I have had two back to back labours first one managed with gas and air but second baby had head tipped back as well so ended up with an epidural and then ventouse which was fine. They prepped for forceps and emcs at same time. Have read since they should not use ventouse and then forceps as that is too much trauma for baby. Also given nhs financial problems forceps is going to be a lot cheaper to do than a cs and if obstetrician feels that either option is do-able i would have thought they would try to push you towards forceps. Namechange yes i aiming for a birth without epidural but following two births am a bit more realistic about what can go wrong - as other people have stated keiland forceps are banned in 90% of hospital trusts - if baby is that high up you should be offered a cs anyway. However we have all heard / read the awful stories of patients not being listened to and drs overriding patient choice because they want to do it their way. So i am interested in others experiences of how choices vs risks are presented and i guess if people have felt pressure to have forceps following a request for emcs. Unfortunately their is not enough data out there on trauma following forceps as many women keep it hidden but even my midwife said that she has friends who have ongoing problems years later due to forceps so she would also refuse them!

[RuskBaby]

There's a risk with everything, the medical team want everything to go well and choose the best option at the time.

[NerrSnerr]

I would go with whatever the team feel is safest at the time so your child and you are out of immediate danger. I know one friend who has ongoing gynaecological problems after forceps, but the baby was in immediate danger and needed to come out and that was quicker than other options. I know which one is preferable to me.

[Chocolatecake12]

A c section might not be possible if the theatre is already being used for a planned section or another emergency section.
In this case then forceps or ventouse will be the best option to deliver your baby safely.
Try to be open minded about the birth, all these things that can happen might not happen! Each and every birth is different and listening or reading other people's experiences can really scare you into what could happen but probably won't.

[Mummyme87]

Keillands forceps are not banned in 90% of hospitals but should be used by a trained doctor. They aren't used that often but can be used safely.

You can push the baby back up for a CS if in 2nd stage however it is high risk, difficult and can cause a lot of damage.

A CS in 2nd stage is very risky, massive risks of extra trauma to the uterus and massive obstetric haemorrhage therefore are only done if that baby isn't coming out vaginally.

I had an almost 2nd stage section (9cm), lost a lot of blood, ended up with a blood transfusion, horrendous wound infection which resulted me being on antibiotics which passed through my breast milk and stopped my baby from feeding. It was not appropriate to continue with labour to get to fully due to the risks of instrumental whilst I had overwhelming infection. I wouldn't wish a 2nd stage section on anyone. Only benefit that came from this was I laboured to the end almost so hopefully will have a successful VBaC next time ☺️