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Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Positive Forceps Stories

29 replies

DecaffTastesWeird · 16/09/2014 17:31

Hi all

I hope this is the right thread to post in. I am a FTM and am absolutely terrified by forceps.

Doctors (generally) aren't sadists, so I am sure they only use forceps for the good of the mother & baby.

Everything I have heard about them is horrific though and it concerns me. Does anyone have any positive stories about them?

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haventgotaclue1 · 16/09/2014 19:33

Oh I'll be interested in any responses too Decaff! Like you, I'm a FTM and am seriously not at all keen on the "salad tongs" idea - in fact, think I'd rather go for a CS if it was required. But this is just based on what I imagine may happen...have no facts to contradict my perceptions and haven't been to any antenatal classes yet...

butternut22 · 16/09/2014 22:11

I had forceps. I can't even remember the sensation of them or any pain from them. I did not have an epidural. They gave me an episiotomy first which I can't remember hurting. All healed fine (had a little infection which was treated with antibiotics). Little mark on babies face lasted 2 days. I wouldn't say it was positive but I am not traumatised by it. It was the one thing I was scared of because they look medieval but it all happens so quickly and because my baby was distressed I was just relieved to have him out and ok.

butternut22 · 16/09/2014 22:18

I am pregnant again and may have mentally blocked out the true horrors of it though to save myself!!

Original poster
DecaffTastesWeird · 17/09/2014 12:41

Thanks so much for sharing butternut. Yes, I think 'positive' is maybe the wrong word. I guess if you need forceps things are already pretty scary so "not traumatised" sounds quite good to me.

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TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 17/09/2014 13:01

I had forceps - man they look scary.
G&A only, local anaesthetic definitely afterwards, not sure if before. No episiotomy.
I don't remember any pain or issue with the forceps per se. I did find it pretty motivational and it was a one push with forceps deal so I think possibly I was very lucky and it was just what was needed to dislodge DC2 after an hour of pushing.

Downsides, I had "small internal tears" which were stitched under local. I later found from my notes that they were 2nd degree. No idea if they were caused by the forceps or the birth.
I was badly bruised and it was 10-12 weeks before my nether regions were back to normal and I could walk more than a mile without discomfort lasting 24 hrs.

DC2 was 3 weeks early and small - 6.5lbs. I can't imagine what forceps would be like with a full-term 9lber+
DC2 had significant bruising to her scalp. Only slight facial marks so consensus was that it was not the forceps that caused it.

There are different types of forceps which I've only just learned. I'd investigate each type and the risks associated before consenting I think

Figster · 17/09/2014 13:08

I had forceps with an epidural and an episiostomy as I got an infection and ds heart rate became slow I had literally just got to 10cms and hadnt even tried to push yet. I had a massive fear of an episiostomy had always said I would rather have a CS but when it came down to it would have avoided one at all costs. I think i pushed twice maybe even once and the dr had got ds out with not a mark on him, i needed stitches but he was 9lb 4 so likely would have torn anyway. I dont have any regrets about how it went and was the best outcome for us.

that is probably a positive story?

Doodledot · 17/09/2014 13:23

Forceps too - after 24 hours labour with a back to back baby I didn't care how they got baby out. Had had epidural so didn't feel it. DC had mark for 24 hours. The worst bit was the colic later (there us a link) but cranial osteopathy sorted that

charleybarley · 17/09/2014 13:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MamyPoko · 17/09/2014 13:56

I had forceps with DS2. It was a long labour, much more painful than my first, and when I reached 10cm dilation the contractions stopped completely. I'm not entirely sure how the next hour panned out (need to request a copy of my notes!) but suddenly I was off to Theatre to attempt delivery with forceps and if that didn't work, a C-section. I was scared; I really hadn't wanted forceps. However, it was absolutely fine; they explained everything, were very reassuring. I had a spinal block and episiotomy and suddenly had a wriggly baby on my chest! He was at a funny angle and the forceps corrected it and he shot out. He BF straight away, had a tiny mark for a day, and I healed very quickly. No issues at all.

Seriously, you can't predict/control what will happen with childbirth; try not to worry!

Original poster
DecaffTastesWeird · 17/09/2014 14:18

Thanks so much everyone. That definitely makes me feel better. A healthy baby and a not too long/horrific recovery for either of us is the ideal outcome for me. It sounds like this can be achieved even when the dreaded forceps are involved. Definitely needed to be told that! Thanks Thanks

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Minesril · 17/09/2014 17:09

I had forceps although not sure why - doctor just said the baby was 'in a funny position'. They rushed me to theatre which was a bit scary. Tried suction cup which didn't work, then the forceps which did. Apparently if they hadn't worked I would have needed a c section - really, really glad it didn't go that far.

Didn't feel anything because the epidural was still working. Didn't even see the forceps!

Damage was episiotomy and third degree tear, but I've healed really well. They also give you kick ass painkillers after birth. I didn't even realise the damage until some days later when I had a look at my notes!

I think the most difficult part of it was the repairing of the damage because it delayed being able to hold the baby. The stitches really did seem to take forever to finish - lying flat on your back with feet in stirrups isn't really the best position to hold a newborn! I didn't get to cuddle him until I was in post recovery.

Original poster
DecaffTastesWeird · 17/09/2014 17:38

Thanks Minesril. If I do need forceps, I will surely look forward to those painkillers! Smile

Glad to hear your story had a happy ending and wasn't too painful.

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passmethewineplease · 17/09/2014 17:42

I had keilands forceps as my dd had sort of rotated mid way down the birth canal. I was taken to theatre and prepped for a section just in case they didn't work.

Was fine. Had an episiotomy which healed fine. DD was fine. :)

I had a normal waterbirth with my son and don't really recall any difference in recovery afterwards tbh. Smile

McGlashan · 17/09/2014 17:48

I had mid cavity forceps. I had just had an epidural put in and next thing baby's heartrate disappeared. Turns out I was fully dilated and they were able to get him out pronto. Otherwise I was heading for an emergency section asap which would've taken longer and as the doctor said at the time every minute counts.
I was fine, episotomy healed fine, Ds had a few bruises. Best result all round.
When you're baby is in danger you just don't care what they do to you.

McGlashan · 17/09/2014 17:49

your not you're

Nyborg · 17/09/2014 18:28

My birth plan was pretty open-minded but made it clear that I was really keen to avoid forceps. In the end, I was about ready to push when the baby's heartrate dropped off the monitor and everyone swung into action - he was out in a couple of pushes once they'd got him with the forceps and I'd have consented to anything in return for a healthy baby - which is exactly what I got. My recovery wasn't particularly quick but I think that was just bad luck and not really connected to the forceps delivery. I wish you the birth you are hoping for, but if not, it's far from the end of the world, I promise.

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DecaffTastesWeird · 18/09/2014 16:52

Thanks all! Thanks

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pinkteapots · 18/09/2014 21:31

Its actually really good to read these stories. I havent had forceps. Due in a month, nice to have a few positive stories in case something crops up. A friend though needed forceps for her 3rd dc. The consultant on call was the lead forceps guy, who trains all the others here (north of ireland). He didnt need an episiotomy and she didnt tear - which is amazing for a forceps delivery I think! Granted that level of experience isnt common. But I thought it was a neat story when she told me :-)

Churchillian · 19/09/2014 06:18

Sorry, I don't have a positive story. Please avoid, I was pressured and bullied into it and ended up with an infected episiotomy which split and took months to heal and had a massive negative impact on my physical and mental health and it was completely unnecessary. Next time they claim that the baby is 'stuck' or 'slightly in the wrong position' or 'distressed' i would rather have support to change position to push the baby out. Once you've had the spinal block it's almost impossible to push as you can't feel anything and forceps and episiotomy are inevitable It turns out my DD wasn't stuck or distressed, I just didn't have an experienced midwife who could envisage other options or try other alternatives to move the baby into the right position naturally (of which there are plenty).

Brodicea · 19/09/2014 09:44

I ended up with forceps and episiotomy, with an epidural (five days of pre-labour and two-three of labour so I was exhausted). Didn't have any ill effects from the forceps per se - TBH by then I was in another zone so kind of left my fear at the door. I just decided not to look at them!

However I was annoyed when after the birth the doctor said: 'probably didn't need those forceps, you pushed so well' BUT I would have hated to tear instead - a friend had a horrible experience when mws forced her to push harder, 'you don't want us to have to get the doctor - it'll be forceps for sure' and she tore horizontally and had nasty stitches.

They're not nice, and not always necessary but they are not necessarily instruments of torture. I'd try to let go of the fear - it will be OK.

Brodicea · 19/09/2014 09:46

(easier said than done - just thought I'd end on a positive mantra!)

Wilf83 · 19/09/2014 09:54

My SIL was offered a cesarean or spinal black & forceps. She opted for forceps & out came my nephew. I couldn't believe the amount of negativity that a midwife was saying about forceps at my antenatal class telling us to not do it & go straight to cesarean. When I told my midwife she was really angry & said she had told her time & time again to not talk rubbish. My SIL never said a bad word about the forceps & is currently trying for no2 xx

Original poster
DecaffTastesWeird · 19/09/2014 13:40

Thanks so much again all.

Churchillian, sorry you had such a horrible experience Thanks.

Brodicea that is horrible about your poor friend! It's not the best tactic to threaten women in labour is it?! Especially when they are probably aware of how scary forceps are for a lot of women. Shocking.

I think, personally, I would still opt for a csec if there was time and I was given the option between that or forceps. However, if it was a case of getting the baby out right that minute or there being irreperable damage to him / her, I want to be prepared for the forceps.

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didireallysaythat · 19/09/2014 13:52

My (induced) labour with DS1 failed to progress, I was prepared for an emcs but delivered by forceps. I only found out about the forceps a week later when reading my notes. I'm fairly laid back about these things - the purpose of labour is to deliver a baby so I didn't really care how it happened. I'm sure the Dr doesn't choose forceps by default so I figure if they are needed, they are needed. BTW no forceps marks, 3rd degree tear but 9-9 baby so not too surprising I guess. I'd focus on the goal and not the process - after all you'll have a baby/child for 18 years, which makes labour seem really insignificant !

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DecaffTastesWeird · 19/09/2014 14:05

didireallysaythat, thanks! Totally agree with this:

I'm sure the Dr doesn't choose forceps by default so I figure if they are needed, they are needed

and

you'll have a baby/child for 18 years, which makes labour seem really insignificant !

I think I just needed to be reminded before I got myself freaked out.

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