Do they normally just deliver the head with forceps, or the entire baby?

[Chequers]

Just wondering if forceps are normally just used to deliver the head, or if they normally use them to deliver the entire baby?

[spudballoo]

Just the head, the rest follows. Are you ok?

[Chequers]

Thanks, yes fine I just wondered as I was talking to DH about DD's birth and he said that as the cord was round her neck the Dr used the forceps to yank her out and deliver her body too.

I didn't know if it was usual or not and whether to mention it to the cranial osteopath we are seeing on Friday.

[Chequers]

(by that I mean the Dr yanked her entire body out by her head).

[spudballoo]

You should tell the osteopath that she was delivered by forceps for sure. The forceps lock either side of the baby's head, like big salad servers. Then they use force during a contraction while you push to deliver the baby, the rest of the body follows once the head is delivered (assuming no shoulder issues etc).

Sorry for your complicated delivery though. My DS1 was born using forceps and it was deeply unpleasant and left me with all manner of complications.

He was fine, a few bruises. We went to an osteopath just to sort out a few residual 'kinks' for him.

Congratulations on your new baby!

[Chequers]

Thanks spud

We had a couple of failed attempts with ventouse then the forceps.

She doesn't have any specific problems (except for a lot of comfort sucking and some general unsettledness) but I thought that given her birth an osteopath might be a good idea. I wuld be really interested to hear of your experience with the osteopath, how did you find it?

I found the whole thing very unpleasant too, but seem to be ok now. I'm sorry to hear about your complications.

[Chequers]

By the whole thing I mean the birth and not the osteopath!!

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

I think that ds2 was delivered with the forceps head first then they just sort of eased the rest of him out, but tbh i cant really remember as was to high on EVERY DRUG AVAILABLE

[LadySanders]

i took ds2 to cranial osteopath, he was v large baby (9.5lbs) and had got wedged in sideways so ended up with c/s. ds2 was reluctant to feed lying on his right side. osteopath very gently manouvred (sp) him and got him into the position he had been in in the womb (was actually rather beautiful to see) and it became clear that one shoulder was jammed out of place. he manipulated the shoulder and hey presto, ds2 was happy to lie on his right side to feed.

[LilRedWG]

DD was forceps during a CS, but not sure how much of her - I think just her head, which was very well engaged in my pelvis.