refusing forceps

[saffy85]

I'm only about 10 weeks with DC2 gone so birth is very far off, but have been scaring myself reading about forceps births and what can go wrong.

I really REALLY don't want anyone coming near me with forceps, dont have an issue with suction or a c section if i need either but not forceps. Does anyone know if it's ok to refuse forceps? and if so, will they pay any attention? im hopefully gonna give birth in the birthing centre attached to the hospital so this will hopefully be a non issue, but had a few problems last time (large baby, big head, back to back) and I'm anticipating bigger baby this time, so forceps may be suggested. DP thinks I'm being ridiculous about it all but this is making me anxious already (don't take much tbh).

I had a forceps delivery 2 weeks ago. They tried ventouse first, but that didn't work. I had been very scared of forceps beforehand and had mentioned to my mw that I would prefer to have another c-section (had EMCS last time). However, when it came down to it, the last thing I wanted in theatre was another c-section having laboured again and got to 10cm this time. It WAS horrible, I kept my eyes tightly shut, was awful for DH too of course, but they had to act quickly and I think it was the best solution. I had an episiotomy and 2 weeks on have virtually no pain - stitches healing, very active, driving, etc. This is not the case after a c-section. DS2 is fine, infact his head was bruised by the failed ventouse rather than the forceps. I'm taking him to a cranial osteopath every week to be on the safe side.

Breastfeeding has been much easier this time round, partly because I was more mobile initially (although it was very sore, not going to lie!).

Hmm maybe you're right Domestic. Think I'll talk to MW properly next time. She said it was a non issue as everything would be easier this time.... But then she was my MW last time and insisted DD would be a "leeetle baby", 6 or 7lbs perhaps.DD was a not very leeetle 9lbs So while I like that she is positive I am tad sceptical of her judgement.

Im sure it will be much easier second time and this will be a non issue.

However there are a couple of points Id just like to comment on, and one is that sometimes, with a lot of swelling on the head (caput), the ventouse just will not stick to the head and the cup keeps coming off. In this case, the docs will normally use forceps to deliver baby. By this stage, when baby has been pulled down through the pelvis to a certain point, it becomes very difficult to get the baby out in a c/section, so it becomes MUCH safer to continue with the forceps than to go back and try and do a crash c/section. Its much safer for baby and much safer for the mother as there is likely to be a lot of damage to both while trying to pull baby back up. Also the recommendations are not to push baby up vaginally to free baby as there have been cases of skull fracture by over enthusiastic pushing from below.

As for keillands forceps, well they are not used in many places now and if you need keillands, then baby is still high enough to easily proceed to c/section, and they are not considered safe by many, although in skilled hands Ive seen many gentle and easy keillands deliverys.

In regard to having consent, we are not allowed to do anything to you that you dont consent to. This means that even if baby is very distressed to the point of dying during childbirth, we cannot make you have a c/section or forceps etc against your will. And although this is rare and very distressing to watch for the staff, this also does happen occasionally, and the staff will not intervene without consent, apart from stressing the gravity of the situation (and probably pleading with the woman to allow them to do something to save the baby).

But as usual regarding childbirth, nothing is completely clearcut.

Sorry if this is a little graphic.

I have to go antenatal appointments at the hospital again this time round (Congential Hypothyroidism) so will talk to them then maybe.

I would never ever let my baby die, can't imagine why anyone/how anyone could do that You have given me alot to think about mintpurple and Domesticgoddess. Think it's the idea of turning the baby using forceps, would much rather not turn it and have a section. Like midwife said though, it shouldn't be an issue.

I had forceps. If I hadn't my DD would have died as she was too far down for anything else.
Had no issues afterwards, stitches healed great and no wee leakage
Would rather have had them than a CS as I still pushed her out after a little help to deliver her head.

MrsPickles, I had a forceps delivery with no spinal block and I wasn't in theatre, so I'm not sure that's true. It'd be good if someone could clarify though.

I had read that forceps are worse for mother, better for baby and ventouse is other way around. I wasn't given the choice with DD, I was told "she's in distress, she needs to come out now; you're not able to push anymore" (didn't help that midwife had told me for previous 90 mins of pushing how fantasitically I was doing - even though in agony of kneeling following epidural - and I asked her if she was being realistic, was I really doing that well - after all this time, she was only half way down - I was done in by this point) - they made the choice to use forceps, there was no discussion, but she came out quickly (after 2 massive screams from me even though I made them top up epidural and give me local anaesthetic). At one point (before forcep intervention) DH asked about c-section and was told very plainly "no, not an option"

I had a forceps delivery the first time. When it came to baby number 2 I had written in my brith plan and told my consultant that under no circumstances were they to use forceps, if it looked likely that things were heading that way I wanted a C-Section.

I never found out if they would have followed my explicit instructions though as I managed a totally naturaly delivery with dd2.

DD1, my first child, was delivered by Haig-Ferguson forceps by a very senior consultant.

I had a postpartum infection but other than that, no other problems.

Had a ventouse delivery, too, of my 3rd baby, as he was much heavier than his sisters and turned out to have cord wrapped round him. Second degree tear with that one.

I believe I might have a prolapse now, but haven't gone to have it checked out. Unsure however, if that's even related to instrumental deliveries because I'm also near 40 and 3 children in 5 years and need to lose about 2st.

My second child was born with no drug pain relief, after a very short second stage of just 21 minutes. She was delivered with me on my knees. I suffered only a graze.

I had a pretty good forceps delivery - found recovery much easier than previous EMCS. And no, I wasn't in theatre, just normal delivery room, though I did have an epidural.

I had an epi, too.

With DD1, turns out her hand was up beside her head, cupping her ear.

Consultant got in and she said, 'Oh, your wee handy shouldn't be up there!'

In my case, mid cavity forceps, no epidural, no spinal block (puddendal block, ie local anaesthetic instead), normal delivery room - and, as far as I was concerned, a normal birth :)

So much so that a year later when I was seeing the physiotherapist a year later with pelvic floor problems, when I was giving her my history, I answered "natural birth" to her question about the birth, so the only risk factor was ds' weight (just 2kg, 8lb, 15oz) - and it was only with hindsight that I said, "oh, and I ended up on oxytocinin because although I was labouring, it had been over 24 hours since my waters broke"..... "oh, and I had mid cavity forceps"..... "oh, and I had an episiotomy". :)

i had forceps in a bit of an emergency situation. they tried ventouse several times. At that point I was happy to get baby out safely. However I did end up being sewn back up too tight and needed surgery six months later to ever have sex again.

I keep hearing on here about forceps being used during a C-section... I may be being dim-witted, but why and how? Don't they just lift the baby out of the incision (I had always assumed with hands)? Have I missed something in my understanding of this?

Out of curiosity, those women who say they'd rather have a c-section than forceps - why is that? (not trying to start a fight, but interested!)

LoveInAColdClimate I had forceps during C section. I think it helps lever the head out of a relatively small incision. If the baby is not in position for labour it can help. My CS was at 38 weeks for placenta previa, he was never getting anywhere close to the right position!
I once saw an animation that demonstrated the forcep/C section delivery, but Google has failed me. But I will keep trying!

Thanks, Panzee - had been wondering about that!

Ok I've found a youtube video. But if you haven't had a section, and you have not finished having babies, I don't recommend you watch it - it looks scary if you haven't been there! I'm not posting the link but a search will find it easily. And this baby had GD, which mine didn't, so it is a tighter fit.

I to had both simpsons for baby no 1,and keilands for baby no4.i had stitches both times,but nothing bad,baby no1 had a slight red mark by his eyebrow,and baby no4,nothing at all,i had a brilliant doctor..

I think if i saw them before hand i would freak out,as they look so huge,and like a torture instrument,but i had only gas and air with no4,and didnt feel them hurting me.

I personally dont like the look of the ventouse,sucking its little head out.

only good thing we cant really see what is going on down that end,and if it helps to bring your child out safely well im all for it,i know things can go wrong,but that can happen in any situation.