Do women actually want a foceps delivery rather than a caesarean?

[Strix]

Yikes. I know I wouldn't. But, perhaps I'm in the minority. This article talks about how doctors should be better trained in forceps so they could use them more. And I just wonder why they have only asked doctors in this article and not mentioned whether this is what the women giving birth want.

I personally don't think it's a good idea to clamp some steel tongs on my baby and pull him/her by the head. And if the baby's head doesn't fit through my tunnel, how on earth are they going to get head and tongs through?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11589284

herethereandeverywhere: I had similar experience. A straightforward pregnancy, then 2 weeks overdue, so was induced. The induction itself was horrible, really painful contractions along with vomiting, and they refused to give me an epidural or any kind of painkillers until the very last minute in case it slowed down the induction! As it was it went on most of the day, then had over 4 hours of pushing with feet in stirrups (baby too big)OB too busy off doing other things and only popped in every now and then. If I hadn't been too out of it by then I would have demanded an emcs, but ended up with forceps, almost dragged off the table with tugging, ragged episiotomy and tearing. Lost a lot of blood and had loads of stitches. 10 years on still long lumpy purple scar. My son had several large cuts and bruises on his head, which was cone shaped from the pressure, and totally red bloodshot eyes for days. He eventually healed, although he ended up with marks and moles on his face, which had to be removed with plastic surgery later. I had a horrendous time healing, made longer by an infection, couldn't sit down for 2 months . I suffered incontinence, severe pain and aching, which lasted for a couple of years. Painful sex as well as nerve damage and a fear and loathing of being touched which almost destroyed my marriage. I was severely depressed for several years, and the worst thing was nobody seemed to take it very seriously, they just kept telling me I should be happy that my son was born healthy (which I was, of course). I felt so alone, and although I would have loved a second child, I was far too scared to ever get pregnant again.
Sorry, this ended up a really long post! It's good to get it off my chest.

I had mid-cavity forceps with DD1. I had no problems at all physically after her birth and gave birth to my second in record time with only a graze.

I'm glad I didn't need to have a CS.

DD1 had no lasting effects at all.

I opted for ELCS with both mine specifically to avoid any pelvic floor damage completely. Very glad I did.

Dc1 was EMCS - slow recovery but no long term effects.
DC2 was forceps VBAC - blood transfusion but quicker recovery - however long term effect is prolapse of rectum into vagina so very difficult to poo 2.5 years on (tmi)

I am due DC3 in Feb and definitely asking for a ELCS - I know the recovery is slow but better that than worsening my problems down below.

I think everyone is different and maybe I just had bad luck - my VBAC could have gone swimmingly even with forceps but it didn't.

I had a forceps birth with DS, it was in birth plan to avoid if possible but he was in distress. I don't really get the thing where they say it has to be forceps as its too late for a c section. I was told that if I didn't get DS out in 3 pushes then I would be having an EMCS, so it must have been possible.

I then ended up in theatre to be stitched after a 3rd degree tear and now I don't have to birth naturally if I don't want to (I do but if it comes to forceps, then I am going to state that I would rather have an EMCS).

Forceps delivery was horrible! I was also put off beforehand as my dads DP's sister died in birth due to forceps and her head being squeezed too hard.

It could be argued that if doctors are given more training in forceps deliveries then there would be less complications associated with them? Therefore forceps deliveries could be a safer alternative to CS with less risk/injury associated with them.

I had a forceps delivery (low) about two weeks ago, and although I was terrified when he pulled them out it was actually a relief to feel him pull the baby out. And I had a second degree tear which is now healing well. I was lucky though, because he was a consultant and must have delivered a lot of babies, he did it in about three seconds. Plus I had consented to medical students so he was giving a lesson at the same time - not the most private birth, but it meant he did everything exactly as it should be done as he had a rather large audience by that point. Some people would probably be horrified by my birth - it was a bit like a train station at rush hour - but I was just relieved it was over and me and the baby were both OK.

I did ask for a CS at one point and my midwife got a bit cross with me.

Gumbycat, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope you don't mind me saying that it's good to know that I'm not the only one who went through something like that. Still suffering, still no sex but I would really like another baby before I get too old.

I was with a heavily pg friend (1st baby) this weekend and didn't know whether to laugh or cry at her plans of call taxi, wander birth centre chilling out and admiring the views , give birth, home within 6 hours. ("I didn't realise you needed to see a midwife for the 10 days afterwards" being another one of her utterances.)

I thought best to not upset the ignorance is bliss status. Who knows, she could strike it lucky.

Gumby, what an awful experience. I am so sorry you've gone through all that.

There was an excellent article in the Guardian the other day about birth injuries and the longterm effects. Personally I think forceps have a lot to answer for.

[[www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/dec/10/torn-apart-by-childbirth
Torn Apart by Childbirth]]

When pregnant with DD I chanced upon the Ragged Bits thread and vowed that I would take a CS over forceps every time when I gave birth.

It was the one thing I drummed into DH from my birth plan.

When it came to it though, I gladly consented to forceps (anything to make the pain stop RIGHT NOW) and it's noted in my birth records that some discussion took place between me and DH over this as he knew how anti-forcesp I was beforehand.

Despite suffering a 3rd degree tear in the process and DD having a very bruised face, I'm glad I made the choice that I did.

I had an emergency CS. I was amazed by how quickly I recovered from it - for the first week I felt like I had been hit by a bus, but no doubt if my nether regions had been ripped to shreds I would have felt at least as bad! After that, I felt really well, and went for a five mile walk with the pram exactly 2 weeks after the CS. I would take my experience over a hellish forceps delivery with a nasty perineal injury any day.

I had forceps and WISH WISH WISH I'd had a cs.

So traumatic, as a direct result I had 2nd degree tear, fell unconcious, had 3 blood transfusions, and couldn't look after my baby for 24 hours... took months to heal and my undercarriage will never be the same... so angry...

o yes and bruised baby and painful sex ever since...

talking of which, does any one know if, after an experience like this, you can request a cs next time?? Very scared...