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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

How common is it use forceps now?

61 replies

ErikaMaye · 16/10/2009 19:42

I spoke to my midwife yesterday when she came round for a normal check up, and told her I'm really worried about having to have them used. She said they tend to use a KIWI instead, which makes me feel a little better, but didn't actually tell me the stats.

Does anyone know?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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GhoulsAreLoud · 16/10/2009 20:36

Um, haha?

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/10/2009 20:39

Hijack away, its fine

Thank you all for replying. I am hoping for a water birth, but there is only one pool at the hospital so will just have to keep my fingers crossed that no one is using it when I get there.

I am trying very (very!!) hard to stay calm and not worry or over think things that are beyound my control. I've been doing everything I can except the raspberry leaf tea thing as have had two labour scares and have been recommended to wait until next week when I turn 36 weeks to start using that.

A large part of it is fear of the unknown!! But missmapp - just like your DH that is my reaction to them

Wartoscreamo is that standard practice, generally? To be offered the choice between the two? I'd rather not have a CS but given the choice I think I'd jump at the chance.

Sorry a large part of this is a first timer in panic mode, I guess

Oh, and don't worry about scaring me - I don't think I could get any more frightened

Thank you for all your answers and comments, I can't tell you how much I appriciate it!

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Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/10/2009 20:41

Edgar snorts I think I prefer the term coming out of the sunroof!! But still - made me smile!!

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GhoulsAreLoud · 16/10/2009 20:45

Glad you appreciated the 'humour' ErikaMaye.

I'm obviously not used to people who talk as though they're in a Blackadder sketch

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/10/2009 20:50

I find a light hearted remark sometimes helps, especially when you're bloody terrified a bit scared like I am now.

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geraldinetheluckygoat · 16/10/2009 20:51

I had forceps after a long labour, and agree that I was past caring by that point. I did tear, but not too badly. It was ok on the whole, and less painful than recovery from c section.
good luck hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones that needs nothing to help!

GhoulsAreLoud · 16/10/2009 20:52

Have you/they ruled out elective c-section? Although I expect the recovery would be v v tough if you have ME.

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/10/2009 20:54

I spoke to the midwife about it yesterday, she reckons they won't give me one. Am seeing the consultant on Monday for a normal appointment anyway, so am going to bring it back up, just to get his opinion.

To be honest I'm not too concerned about the recovery - I know either way it will be tough. But I live with my parents, and my DP is taking the first month off to help me, so I won't be doing much by myself!

Geraldine thank you for your good wishes

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WartoScreamo · 16/10/2009 21:07

I have no idea about what is standard - and mine was 5 years ago. I was induced, but what i do know, is that when it all kicks off, your body kind of takes over. It's a very natural process after all.

I had my first cx at 11 am one day, dd was born about 9am the next. Cxs are supposed to be more painful with the (syntocin?) drip, but I did G&A and had one pethidine shot. It wasn't honestly THAT bad.

I guess I had a problem as dd was transverse till due date, then turned head down the day of originally planned section. I then went 10 days overdue before induction. She never engaged. Didn't want to come out obviously. She is still very stubborn now

Northernlurker · 16/10/2009 21:21

I think the idea of forceps is very frightening - same goes for the idea of an episiotomy I think. Now I've not had forceps but I have had three episiotomys and can categorically say that your body is in charge at that point and you just go with whatever is going to move you on from being in labour to holding your baby.

Certainly forceps can be by all accounts a difficult experience - bt you are giing birth and however you do it is never going to be a pain free, perfectly clean and tidy process. Birth is messy and painful and raw and exhilarating and exhausting and awe inspiring. Your birth wil be what it is - you can learn about things beforehand but you can't predict anything.

The single most useful thing I ever read about birth was to remember with each contraction that was bringing you closer to meeting your baby. Each contraction was a step on the way that you didn't have to repeat. There would be plenty more steps but that particular one was done with. Forceps, c-section, induction - it's all like that. Every moment you get through brings you closer to meeting your baby. Forceps - like other interventions are designed to help you and help your baby. Forceps themselves were a huge revolution in obstetrics and have saved countless maternal and infant lives over the centuries. If the forceps come out for your delivery just try to think of that, that that intervention is going to work with you to bring your baby into the world and that when the forceps come out you know the baby will be in your arms soon.

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/10/2009 21:22

Sorry that was increadably nosey of me And very expectant!!

If he acts like he has in the womb, I think we have a future champion River Dancer on our hands

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Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/10/2009 21:24

Northernlurker thank you I will try and bare that all in mind - because you are entirely right of course!!

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duckyfuzz · 16/10/2009 21:27

I had forceps with my first twin, who I am convinced was being kicked out against her will by her sister (their personalities now only add weight to my theory!) I had no real option and wasn't really in a position to argue against them. Painful yes, but nto that bad and even having the second delivered as a footling breech I still managed to recover reasonably quickly, so don't worry too much, although in the nearly 6 yrs since I had them things may have changed

star6 · 16/10/2009 21:30

When I was giving birth, the drs finally came in after I had been pushing for what they considered to be too long (2 and a bit hours) and said "we can help you" I said "how?" they said "forceps" and I screamed and said no. I had seen them before and couldn't imagine them being put inside of me. So they suggested ventouse. I said ok to that. baby was small and kept slipping back up more than he would come out with the push. It's hard work with the ventouse though, too as you have to keep pushing as hard as you possibly can while they pull.
But it was over quickly after that.

WartoScreamo · 16/10/2009 21:42

Northernlurker puts it very well! When I about your stage, I used to wake up very early (Ithought I was getting in practise for 4am starts ). There used to be MW programmes on whatever Sky channel.

I'd make myself a cup of tea and blub everytime a baby was born. They went throught all the variations. Nice waterbirths right through to the full on intervention stuff. But in every case the parents were clutching a new born and crying (along with me) by the end.

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/10/2009 21:43

Yes I've been doing that too - the TV seems to be permenately tuned to Sky Real Life Has comforted me slightly seeing it all.

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star6 · 16/10/2009 21:47

I did that too But now I regret getting up so early
sleep while you can!!

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/10/2009 21:48

Sleep? Sleep?! What's that?! Its okay they start at 10am now if you watch them on repeat

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WartoScreamo · 16/10/2009 21:51

I found it very reassuring! And I had the most interventionist birth going! It was still fine!

You'll be fine honestly. It's natural to worry at this stage. I was convinced my dd would be deformed in someway because I'd got pissed up before I knew I was pg.

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/10/2009 21:52

I slid down a banister at 5weeks, roaring drunk Found out I was pregnant three days later. Glad to hear its natural...

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WartoScreamo · 16/10/2009 21:58

I'd love to slide down a bannister! That is one thing i've never done!

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/10/2009 21:59

I'd tell you how fantastically exhilerating it was - except I don't remember it I remember being in a rather ungraceful pile at the bottom of the stairs and DP having to half carry me home. Will try it again after I'd had the LO and let you know

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Poledra · 16/10/2009 22:01

Erika, I had a forceps delivery for my VBAC with DD2. It was great - the obs faffed about a bit getting ready, then said he was putting them in (I had an epidural) and would pull on the next contraction. And lo, there was DD2, with her mahoosive head! Nae bother.

OK, I had quite a lot of stitches, but recovering from it was a walk in the park compared to DD1's emergency c-section under general anaesthetic. I can recommend warm baths with a few drops of lavender oil (a natural antiseptic) after the birth - did the same after DD3 was born (no forceps/ventouse at all). A great excuse for some me-time too......

Original poster

ErikaMaye · 16/10/2009 22:10

Really? Could I ask a rather personal question? Well I'll ask it but you don't have to answer!! To all of you who had had to have a lot of stitches, does it make sex, and more importantly, another delivery more difficult next time?

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Poledra · 16/10/2009 22:18

We got back to doin' the deed more quickly after DD2's birth than DD1's but, to be absolutely truthful, that was because I had emotional ishoos after DD1's birth.

When DD3 was born, the MW reckoned I could have managed without stitches except that the scar tissue from DD2's birth wouldn't quite stretch enough (all my DDs have huge heads - should have looked at DH's head more closely before agreeing to have his babies ) so needed 2 stitches afterwards.

No lasting damage (and I am olllldddd so you will probably heal better than I did ).

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