Did you have a forceps birth?

[RhymingRabbit3]

I'm just looking for more info from mums who had a birth assisted by forceps. I was under the impression it wasn't that common and forceps were only used when it was really necessary. However, I know a surprising number of people who had forceps used. Of these many seem to have had later pelvic floor and continence issues, had to have c sections for subsequent births and/or had very difficult recoveries. I have also heard of a few babies with damage from the forceps (beyond mild scratches etc that you might expect). For this reason I am seriously considering having on my birth plan that I do not consent to the use of forceps.
Did anyone have forceps and then a simple recovery? Any stories good or bad which could inform my decision? Many thanks

Agree about kegel exercises- I bought a "kegel machine" which contracts the muscles for you- really helped me a lot

@SproutMuncher

Indeed. I asked the midwife after which would have been a more difficult recovery and that was her stance.

I can elect to have a c section next time owing to the use of forceps with my first and not totally decided on what I will do.

It was traumatic but my recovery has been good despite that.

I had a Neville Barns Forceps delivery. Huge tears and the stitches occasionally sting but otherwise all ok. Sometimes wee a tiny bit when desperate but that's it.

Child is perfect, not a scratch :)

I've had emcs and forceps, recovery for me was much easier after the forceps delivery. I've got no after effects but still have strange sensation on cs scar. It is sort of numb but sometimes it itches so badly and nothing I can do about it as can't feel if it is scratched. 30 years ago so I don't think it is going to change now.

I had a forcep delivery with DS1. This was done to me without my consent, pain relief and I was held down by two MW as the doctor carried out an episiotomy - also without pain relief or my consent. I had only pushed for an hour, DS wasn’t in distress but it was late at night and I think the doctor wanted to go home!

I wet myself every time I cough or laugh. Fun times.

Episiotomy, ventouse and forceps with my first and only here. Was prepared for emergency C section but he was too far down. No trampolining problems, my bladder went into reverse for a while, I had no urge to wee and couldn't empty bladder for 8 weeks after delivery. Fine now. It was likely because I had the epidural in for quite a long time. I was induced.

I was glad we were both alive at the end of the day. If it wasn't for modern medicine one or both probably wouldn't be alive to tell the tale.

Yes, forceps. I’d had a long labour & was struggling & getting extremely tired, the contractions were getting weaker. It’s a good thing that they got DD out when they did, as she wasn’t breathing for several minutes. I’ve had some minor continence issues but this was an issue prior to PG if I’m absolutely honest. DD has minor facial scarring, it looked quite bad for the first few months but is virtually invisible now. I actually struggled to get her into a decent position (in relation to the light) for it to show up in the photo at all.

I had forceps with an epistomy nearly a week ago, I had an epidural so I felt no pain and was well able to push but unfortunately baby was In distress and she had the cord around her neck so they wanted her out in a hurry! It went well, no damage to baby except some mild bruising on her face which actually was gone completely after two days. I had quite a few stitches which I won’t lie caused me discomfort so far, but is manageable and improving already. There are a lot of things available to make recovery more pleasant such as cooling gel packs made by mam and also I got a spray called spritz for bits. I was terrified originally at the idea of forceps but when it came to it in there I just wanted baby out safe whatever it took. Overall it wasn’t that bad at all, just after I am sore. I don’t think any major damage was done either but I also know it’s early days too for me. I would do it again in a heart beat if necessary though and genuinely felt no pain at the time, it got baby out safely without any notable harm done. I suspect even with a normal delivery as such I would have needed stitches regardless if I tore myself so I don’t think I’m necessarily in a worse boat!!! It is also my first baby so I have nothing to compare it too but really I didn’t think it was all that bad in my experience and I have heard a lot of horror stories but mine Is definitely a good one!!!

23 years ago my first child was born vaginally with a high forceps delivery. I had a pph, bi-manual massage, 4th degree tear (as well as an episiotomy), a blood transfusion, retained products, horrific recovery.

I consider myself lucky not to have been rendered incontinent.

The ONLY thing I would put on a birth plan is that I do not consent to forceps.

@TriangleBingoBongo genuinely interested in why you think your experience was better than a c section?

I had forceps. Not really through choice. DS was stuck and it was either that or an emergency C-section.

I didn't have any pain or anything but did have major continence problems absolutely no bladder control whatsoever for the first 2 months. I'm not going to lie, it was bad and I my mood took a real hammering.

I was given physio with a possibility of a mesh implant if it didn't. I worked hard at trying to build up my strength with physio and I'm bloody glad I did as the stories I've heard about the mesh implants later on are horrendous.

I wouldn't say I was absolutely back to normal, my bladder is weaker compared to pre-pregnancy. I often wear sanitary towels when out, just in case of accidents. But I'd say it's about a 7 out of 10. So good enough that I can get on with life.

Knowing what I know now, I'd opt for a C-section next time....

When I had an ELCS with my DC2 the surgeon used forceps to get him out that way! He had a little mark on his cheek and all.
I can’t really remember why it was necessary.

DC1 was so thoroughly wedged in that the surgeon couldn’t get the forceps on his head.

still better than a c section. Let the pros decide.

I had 2 subsequent c sections and they were a doddle in recovery compared to my forceps delivery. As the pro who delivered my second and third babies - and who strongly recommended sections - said "well you kind of had a c-section the first time, just not in the right place".

I had a forceps delivery with my first.
Recovery was hard going and my episiotomy wound got infected.
DD had facial injuries that required monitoring for 2y, and has very slight scarring.
Continence felt a bit fragile for the first few months, now fine.
Second birth was a straightforward vaginal delivery, no issues.
Despite my experience, if be wary of saying "no forceps" . By the time they are needed CS is often no longer an option. I don't know that DD would have been OK if they hadn't delivered her when they did.

It’s also quite sad to see pelvic floor damage accepted as 'the usual'.
We need to complain more.

I had forceps, I had a tear to my anus despite being clipped. I had to have a TVT sling after because I kept peeing myself and have just had a Halo operation for a prolapse in my behind. Wish I had had a caesarean - it probably would have cost the NHS less than the two surgeries I’ve had too.

I had no problems at all with the TVT sling (mesh implant) and had it over 10 years ago. Only waited till now for the Halo as I didn’t want to get to old age with more of my colon hanging out of my bum as my muscles get worse!!

I had a forceps delivery with DS. Terrible recovery due to tearing of the muscles and 10 years on I still suffer with the consequences of it. If I could go back I would have had an elective section instead (did this with my DD and it was a lovely experience with great recovery for me). If I was having a natural birth I would never rule out forceps as an option, even with my terrible experience, as my son wouldn't be here if they hadn't used them so the damage I've suffered was worth it

I had forceps and episiotomy, which left me with horrible prolapse and urine incontinence, this was 20 years ago but when I had dc2 4 years ago I was amazed prolapse was gone and no more incontinence, it was as though the second birth fixed the problems from the first 16 years later, such a relief to be back to normal.

I had forceps nearly 2 decades ago.

Am under urogynae and physio for pelvic organ prolapse and having had a forceps delivery has undoubtedly contributed to this.

Although they have/had their place, IMO a section alongside using a fetal pillow to elevate the fetal head if it is low would now be my advice to anyone writing a birth plan.

@charlesthekudu

I did say upthread. I asked the midwife after as I was geared up for a c section if no success with forceps. She said recovery was still better from forceps. She might have been appeasing me-perfectly possible given I had just given birth and my lady bits were in complete tatters.

@pallisers

Interesting, thanks. I’ll be able to elect for a c section next time so that’s helpful to hear.

I always think it would be useful to have an unbiased opinion where costs weren’t an issue. But not where they also profit!

The thing is, you have no way of knowing whether you'll need forceps in advance and whether, if you do, you'll be one of those living with long term complications, or one of those who bounce back better than if they'd had a C-section. And the only way to know you won't need forceps is to go for an elective C-section, which will definitely take some time to recover from. It's a gamble really.

I had forceps, which resulted in a small tear and some bruising on DDs face. She was partially down the birth canal and then wedged into my pelvis so they weren't sure whether it would be EMCS of forceps but obviously they try forceps first! I think 3 attempts and then C-sec? Anyway they got her out on the 3rd attempt

I do have some minor wee incontinence when I sneeze, have a coughing fit etc but I'm pretty sure most women end up with that anyway purely from carrying a baby. Took a few weeks to be totally pain free, was v sore and bruised but it wasn't as bad for me as I imagined it would be

I had a forceps delivery and now have bladder, rectal and uterine prolapse. I didn't realise until 2 years later though as everything healed up to an extent. It wasn't until I had my 2nd that the prolapses become symptomatic. It was definitely the forceps that caused it though.