What’s assisted delivery actually like?

[Blahblahgingerbreadlady]

Can you feel forceps - do they give you pain relief? This is my biggest fear.

I had an epidural before forceps as they were sure I'd actually need a c section but forceps and episiotomy worked. Didn't feel anything but the recovery was pretty brutal 😵‍💫

Thank you, that’s really helpful to know.

Thanks, I found that really helpful too. Although I didn't have an epidural or induction with either of my babies. I know one person who had two instrumentals but didn't have any other children after. I would love to hear more stories of people who finally managed an unassisted VB third time round. I think I actually tried to start a thread about that ages ago and didn't really get any responses at all, which again made me think it must be rare. Appreciate that nowadays its becoming less common to have more than two children at all though too.

For the OP, sorry I didn't answer your question. I had two ventouse births. I had local anaesthetic both times and gas and air too with the second one. Both times I found them putting the instrument in and positioning it extremely painful but that doesn't last long. Took longer first time, I think because the doctor was less experienced and therefore less confident (she was a trainee, but my second birth was done by a doctor who was technically a trainee but had been a consultant in an overseas country). The actual birth bit/pushing with the instrument was not particularly painful and I didn't really even feel the episiotomies tbh.

I had ventouse delivery with episiotomy and, like you, an instrumental delivery was my worst fear. Only had gas & air. I don’t think c-section was an option as she was almost out, like head poking out; I just couldn’t finish the job.

Like other posters said, by the time it got to this point I was beyond exhausted and couldn’t feel my contractions anymore. When they said they might need to do it I screamed, “Just get her out of me!!” I don’t remember feeling it at all tbh. HOWEVER it did mess up my vaginal wall and I now have a rectocelle prolapse. Which I think is quite common.

I had forceps. They gave a spinal block so I could feel nothing. Such a relief after 20 hours of painful labour. I felt fine afterwards and like I healed well. However when my second child was born 2 years later I realised I had a prolapse. They say its nearly always caused by the first birth but often you don't notice because you heal.

This has all made me realise that forceps is not worth it!

No problem. My first labour was a forceps delivery, induced, epidural, no real urge to push, was pushing for hours before taken to theatre for forceps. With my second it looked to be going much the same - no urge to push, so was ‘purple pushing’, clock ticking. The midwife suddenly sat me up and holy moly the urge to push was unreal and DS actually started to descend. Had she not sat me up I really think he wouldn’t have come down at all and it would’ve been a CS, or high forceps. Did you have a good midwife who helped you into different positions etc?

In what way?! I mean, I doubt it's anyone's first choice but sometimes you are where you are and forceps get the job done.

I had forceps and a whole load of other things with my 3rd due to shoulder dyscocia. I was told it was too late for an emergency c section. Tbh, I was just glad that me and dd survived.
Was told that I should have a c section next time. As she was my third, there was no way I would chance it again. I think your plan is very sensible

I’d rather go for another section earlier, especially as I’ve had one before. I don’t think I could cope with the trauma.

The issue is the need for an instrumental often presents itself very late when a CS can no longer be safely performed as the baby’s head is part of the way down the birth canal. If you really feel you cannot go through it you should request an ELCS. Good luck whatever you decide.

I had forceps - like PP, I had a spinal block in case they didn't work and I needed a EMCS. I had a bad tear, lost 2 litres of blood and had infected stitches afterwards, so I did feel a bit sorry for myself. But ultimately no particular problems. I'm not sure if a CS would necessarily have been better.

Frankly I’d avoid the hospital. No forceps at home!

Not realistic for many women

I’m wondering if I should but I’m also worried I’d feel like a failure if I didn’t try

I would but it’s not recommended for me due to scar rupturing

How long has it been since your c-section OP?

People do have HBACs. The NHS just draws up a home birth outside of guidance plan but they should still support you to have one of it’s something you want.

Why?

Proximity to hospital, midwife staffing levels, many women are high risk or have had a previous CS. Even taking antidepressants or having anaemia means hospital is recommended.

I had an EMCS and an ELCS. I would choose a CS over assisted delivery every time.

Not a chance in hell would I want that.

I think anyone choosing a home birth is mad. You’re putting your comfort above the risk of little medical help if something goes wrong.

Reluctantly I agree. I was reading about a HBAC that had tragic consequences not long ago 😢

HBAC I mean not home birth in general, if I was very low risk, second baby and lived under 10 mins from hospital in traffic I would do it. But only then.

I had ventouse with DS2. He was at an awkward angle and wouldn't come out. I had a big injection of local first, it went right "up". The recovery was quite rough as I needed more stitches than with DS1 who was difficult but not assisted. DS3 popped out with no drama at all, no stitches needed and I was having tea and toast within a short time of his arrival.

Ah but something is much less likely to go wrong!

Research has shown that for second or subsequent pregnancies there is no additional risk to babies being born at home when compared hospital or birth centre. For first babies there is an increase in risk for baby but the overall risk is still very very small.

For women who are having their first baby, planning to have a homebirth meant they were:

• 30% less likely to have a caesarean birth,
• 25% less likely to have an assisted vaginal birth (forceps/ventouse)
• 50% less likely to need an epidural…

For women having their second or subsequent baby, planning to have a homebirth meant they were:

• 60% less likely to have a caesarean birth
• 60% less likely to have an assisted vaginal birth
• 75% less likely to need an epidural… (Lancet, 2020)