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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Forceps/c-section

31 replies

MrsRV · 09/02/2012 08:25

Ladies, I'm really petrified of having to have a forceps delivery and the thought of causing bab any distress makes me even more reluctant. If it came to it, can u say no to forceps and ask for c-section instead? If anyone watched OBEM last night you'll appreciate why my concerns have got a whole lot worse. I'm hoping for as natural as possible but sometimes things just don't always go to plan....!

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NigellaLawless · 09/02/2012 08:37

I'm sure someone with more experience/knowledge will be along soon but in my ignorance i tend to believe that they can't carry out procedures without your consent, so possibley you could refuse forceps meaning they would have to do a c section.

When i had my ds he got stuck and they didn't think the vontouse (sp?) would work so said they would use forceps instead. So i shouted at anyone/everyone that i would not have forceps and wanted a c section. they were clearly annoyed with me and piled the pressure on, but it made them try the vontouse after all and thankfully it worked [relief emoticon]

catsareevil · 09/02/2012 08:45

You can refuse any procedure that you dont want to have.

The potential difficulty is that at the point that a forceps delivery is recommended then a CS would at that point usually be more risky than the forceps.

Flisspaps · 09/02/2012 09:17

Ultimately it depends on how low the baby is.

There is a point where the baby is just too low for a CS. To do a CS then would mean pulling the baby back up through the birth canal (possibly using forceps on the baby).

However, in the position of the lady last night where they suggested forceps and then CS if they didn't work, then I would have said to go straight for the CS and refused the forceps attempt (having had forceps once, I wouldn't have them again unless it was the only way). I wouldn't want to be recovering from an episiotomy and very battered, possibly damaged vagina AND a CS AND be exposed to the risks of both kinds of intervention.

Of course, there are benefits to both kinds of intervention too - and baby can still be distressed by a CS (although probably less so!)

DeeLite · 09/02/2012 09:28

I wonder how common last night's situation was. Please tell me it's very rare.

My first birth was comparatively straightforward yet I was still very shocked by the whole thing. That poor mum, dad and LO. It was absolutely terrifying to watch and I just can't imagine how frightened they felt. The midwives were wonderfully calm in the circumstances but it must have really been absolutely awful for every person in that room.

littlemissnormal · 09/02/2012 10:32

It was shocking wasn't it, I think I held my breath for the mum until the baby was out and cried.
I had a forceps delivery with DD as they tried to use the ventouse, pulled and the doctor flew back across the room because as she pulled it came off of my DDs head!
Even in my pethidine and epidural fog it was funny!
But the forceps delivery was fine.

Original poster

MrsRV · 09/02/2012 18:21

It really was awful to watch, let alone go through!! I had to go and stand in the kitchen and sob for some of it as I just couldn't bring myself to watch. Glad it all ended well. Filling up now just thinking about it. I think I'm going to ask my midwife next appointment.

OP posts:

ayearoverdue · 09/02/2012 18:36

Don't watch OBEM! I think there is a huge difference between watching it happen to someone and going through it yourself.

I had forceps and then a CS when they didn't work and it really didn't feel like a big deal and DS and I were fine. DP who witnessed the forceps (from head end) did have nightmares for a few days because it's not a nice thing to watch.

Best thing to do is get informed, know your options and why things are done and then try and relax. I'm sure you'll be fine, OBEM wouldn't be such a popular show if things on there weren't dramatic. I can't watch it.

Kangarobber · 09/02/2012 18:37

Here's a recent thread with loads of info and discussion on the same subject.

OTTMummA · 09/02/2012 18:38

The issue i had with OBEM last night was that the baby was going backwards, and was still high up, they said they would take her to theatre to see how baby was positioned and then see what they would do and it might end up a section, which they both repsonded to in a midley positive way.
I don't know if they asked the poor woman what she would prefer, it didn't seem like they did.
If i was ever in that situation i wouldn't go for forceps at all, not with a baby so high up.
If baby would have to be pushed back up, then i don't think you have much of a choice tbh.
But with hindsight i think although the delivery team saved her baby, they made a mistake, and the lady ended up going through such a traumatic birth, her dd with a possible broken arm, and perhaps other issues, and also her vagina is probably ruined, and will need lots of surgery to correct the damage.

I was shaking and had a little sob for her yesterday, almost the worst possible thing to happen i think, the only saving grace was baby laragh was alive at the end.

working9while5 · 09/02/2012 23:20

It's really rare. Something like 0.6 incidence in babies under 8 13lb, only really becoming more common (e.g. 5-9% in babies over 10lbs as that baby was).

I would be interested to know more about under what circumstances it is sensible and not an increased risk to the baby to do cs vs forceps.

Kangarobber · 10/02/2012 08:26

working -there's loads of discussion on that point in the thread I linked to above.

BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 10/02/2012 09:24

Like cats said, the trouble is that forceps/ventouse are usually only suggested when the baby is already in the birth canal, so a CS in that case would involve pulling them back up into the womb.

I think the problem with the OBEM episode this week was that they mentioned that the babys shoulder was stuck, but didnt explain (obviously as its a not an educational programme) that that was the problem. So a lot of people that saw it just see the big scary forceps and worry about them rather than the actual problem. IYSWIM?

TopazMortmain · 10/02/2012 09:38

I have not watched OBEM but yesterday after hours and hours of pushing I was given the choice of forceps or c-section and I chose c-section without hesitation on the spot. Baby was born absolutely perfect in minutes and all the trauma was sustained by me (scar and fear etc)

I simply could not bear the thought of them pulling her head down forcibly when there was another solution.

AlexTasha · 10/02/2012 12:26

I was thinking the same thing. I am already afraid of forceps and after watching OBEM there is no way I would have them. I have heard some terrible stories. On my birth plan I am putting no forceps....

thefurryone · 10/02/2012 13:06

I can understand the desire to avoid forceps, but in some cases it's not an either or option and forceps or ventouse may well be a more appropriate and safer solution than an EMCS. I had a ventouse because a section just wasn't the right option for that particular delivery.

My advice is to keep an open mind, make sure your birth partner is very clued up and knows what questions to ask so they can advocate on your behalf should the need arise, which can include questioning whether it would be appropriate to proceed straight to EMCS.

Oh and stop watching OBEM, it's an awful programme.

working9while5 · 10/02/2012 13:40

Just remember the forceps weren't the issue in that birth shown this week. The issue was that there was a medical emergency, one of the most dangerous that can occur (and very rare). I had forceps and I didn't like them one bit, but many people don't find them that bad, it's very dependent on the circumstance.I wouldn't refuse them if I in any way thought it might endanger my baby.

Kangarobber · 10/02/2012 16:37

working -whilst what you say may be true, trying to pull a malpositioned baby out by its head using forceps may well increase the risk of dystocia and prove more risky than a c-section. Arguably, in this case the forceps may well have contributed to the situation. The consultant knew the baby was not in a good position and was not descending well...

Original poster

MrsRV · 10/02/2012 18:55

Have put no forceps on birth plan now and have made sure hubby knows I'm dead set against them. I appreciate it could be the only way on the day but I think my personal preference is CSect if possible. Like someone said above, would rather suffer the trauma than bab, and forceps to me look by far the most traumatic for bab. Anyway, fingers crossed for all nice & natural here!

OP posts:

OTTMummA · 10/02/2012 19:06

I agree with Kanga, they knew baby was high up, in a difficult position, if it were a case of only forceps or ventouse they wouldn't have mentioned a section before taking her off to theatre.

It would be reasonable to assume that if baby was not desending and actually going backwards, and was in an awkward position, then there could be problems delivering the shoulders at such an early time during the labour.

I have an issue with the fact they didn't seem to ask what the mother would prefer, she should of been given a choice.

catsareevil · 10/02/2012 22:22

MrsRV

Forceps are usually the safest for the baby if the labour has progressed to the point where they are realistic, so you dont need to opt for a CS purely to try to reduce the risk to the baby at that point.

Sandra2011 · 10/02/2012 23:19

But it's also good to know that things don't always go according to plan like in that OBEM episode.

I think OBEM is also a very educational program. I can say I have learnt a lot from it.

BigFatHeffalump · 10/02/2012 23:41

My birth plan states csec over forceps too.

rocket74 · 11/02/2012 17:39

I only watched OBEM last night for the first time as now 24 weeks pregnant with 2nd. It was terrifying and I was almost in that mothers position with my first. Same age, size, induced, but DS not moving at all. After 10 hours of contractions and an epidural they told me I had to try pushing really hard for an hour and if that didnt work it would be forceps or c-section. Despite all my pushing, DS was not descended enough for forceps (which I was adamant I didnt want) so had a c-section. DS was thankfully born quickly with a lot of tugging. OBEM just made me realise it could easily have gone another way - they (the midwives/consultant) should have just opted for c-section. Forceps is not a natural birth so why push it so much as an option?? I just got the impression that whilst they all would have been upset if the baby hadn't recovered - its just another day at work for them - but for the parents it could have ruined their lives for a very long time. It really really upset me. I only watched to brush up on what to expect!!

ChineapplePunk · 11/02/2012 22:12

Personally, I think the use of forceps is pretty barbaric. I understand that every birth is unique, but I do not subscribe to the idea that forceps are somehow inevitable in certain situations. My birth plan will state no forceps, and if I have the misfortune to be in a similar situation to that poor woman on OBEM, I will opt for a CS. They can argue with me as much as they like, but if I am kept fully informed of everything that is happening then the "too late for a CS" situation should not be allowed to arise.

tri10 · 11/02/2012 22:28

I had a forceps delivery with my DD I had to sign the consent form for c/s before we went to theatre which they said was routine as if things aren't going well they don't want to faff about with consent forms in theatre. Had shoulder dystocia aswell and DD was born with a damaged arm but recovered within a couple of weeks currently pregnant again and wasn't put off trying vaginal delivery again even if it ended in forceps until I watched obem that is.....

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