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MNHQ

Forceps delivery that was difficult or distressing? We’d like to hear from you

5 replies

RhiannonEMumsnet · 12/03/2026 12:15

Hi there,

As part of the national review of maternity care, we’ve been asked to help bring together a small group of women to share their experiences directly with policymakers.

We'd like to hear from Mumsnet users who had a traumatic or distressing forceps-assisted birth, within the past three years.

If you:

  • had a forceps-assisted birth
  • found the experience traumatic or distressing
  • gave birth in the past three years
  • and would be willing to speak at a roundtable discussion with policymakers

please reply below or email [email protected] with a short outline of your experience.

EDITED TO ADD: The roundtable will take place in London on Thursday 26th March, 9.30 - 11am.

We know this can be a very difficult experience to revisit and we're mindful of that. But hearing directly from women who’ve been through it would help ensure those experiences are properly understood and taken into account.

Please do get in touch if you'd be willing to take part.

Thanks,
MNHQ

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MNHQ

RhiannonEMumsnet · 16/03/2026 17:37

JayJayj · 12/03/2026 22:09

I had a forceps birth in 2022. It is something I think about often. The whole process felt very scary. I’d be happy to take part.

Hi @JayJayj - thanks so much for your response. Would you be able to DM me an email address I could use to contact you? Thanks!

MNHQ

RhiannonEMumsnet · 19/03/2026 08:56

Hi @Herecomesthehotflusher, we're specifically looking for recent experiences, which was why we specified the time criteria - the roundtable will feed into the ongoing National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation. That said, your point about the long-term impact of forceps delivery is really important, and we’ll make sure everything shared here is passed on.

You might also be interested to know that we've submitted a Mumsnet response to the investigation drawing on our recent Medical Misogyny report - which looks at ten years of conversations about maternity care and the lasting effects of poor treatment - and our 2023 survey on birth trauma. It’s something we’ll keep campaigning on, so any thoughts on what we should be highlighting and asking for policy-wise are very welcome.

We're really grateful to you and everyone else who has replied for being willing to share your experience.

MNHQ

RhiannonEMumsnet · 23/03/2026 17:08

Hi there @sparklyblueberry2 @SurvivalInstinctsOfABakedPotato @IAmTooOldFor @stripey1 @FFOXGLOVE - just to flag I've DMed you all if you wouldn't mind taking a look. Thank you!

MNHQ

RhiannonEMumsnet · 23/03/2026 17:27

Thanks again to everyone who has replied and shared their experiences - we really appreciate it. As mentioned, we’re collating these posts to feed into the inquiry, so please do continue to share here, or if you’d prefer to send something more privately, you can email [email protected].

MNHQ

RhiannonEMumsnet · 13/04/2026 09:24

Hi there,

Thanks once again to everyone who took the time to share their experience on this thread - we've passed all of your contributions on.

Separately, we've been asked to share an invitation for Mumsnet users that may be of interest to some of you, to an event on Innovation in Assisted Childbirth, in Westminster, London on 5th May.

From the organisers: An expert panel will be hosted by broadcast journalist Ali Vowles and will feature the independent voices of obstetricians, midwives, and mothers who recently gave birth with the assistance of a new, innovative and gentle alternative for assisted childbirth in the UK. Admission is complimentary.

If you’re interested in going, please get in touch via [email protected] by 17th April and we'll share the details.

Thanks,
MNHQ

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