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Childbirth

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?

OP posts:

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EddieVeddersfoxymop · 19/09/2014 14:11

I had forceps and am totally fine. DD was little, only 6lbs at a week overdue, but had to be delivered fast as she wasn't coping with the contractions. I had an episiotomy, and internal grazes that needed packing for a short while, but had no lasting effects. DD was bruised for a day or so.

I never felt them go in, didn't even really see them to be honest!

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didireallysaythat · 19/09/2014 14:48

I know it's hard not to obsess about the whole birth thing (thankfully I didn't find mn until after I had DS1 - I giggle at the what to put in my birth plan posts - mine read "birth plan = plan to give birth"). Everyone else in the room will have done this before. At my NHS classes we focussed on finding the car park etc - nothing about breathing etc as the midwife will help with that when the time comes.

Try and relax and enjoy the whole " growing a baby stage" - it is quite magical after all.

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LittleBlueHermit · 21/09/2014 10:11

I had forceps and an episiotomy. While pregnant, both concepts terrified me, but it was by far the least traumatic part of labour. I'd already had an epidural, so didn't feel a thing. DD didn't end up with a single mark on her head. The OB commented afterward that she'd barely had to pull.

They used the forceps to deliver her head, then DH was allowed to 'catch'/ finish delivering DD and place her on my chest.

Should also add that I had no problems with the episiotomy- only a slight ache after epidural wore off, not even worthy of panadol. I healed very quickly.

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Dogsmom · 21/09/2014 19:08

I had a ventouse, not sure why they choose one over another but it was all fine, she was back to back and I'd been in labour 30 hours and just wanted her out, I'd had an epidural 3 hours before and they numbed the area to do an episiotomy and I genuinely didn't feel a thing.

Dd did have a cone head for a week or so but better than her being in distress.

I'm pregnant again and wouldn't think twice if they wanted to do it again.