Anyone had forceps and it not been awful?

[Methenyouplus4]

Everyone I've spoken to in rw described it as pretty awful with a long recovery. I've had ventouse twice previously (once awful, once fantastic), I'm expecting twins now and want to go for a vaginal birth if possible and while I don't mind the idea of ventouse again I'm terrified by the prospect of forceps, to the point where I think I'd rather have a C section if ventouse didn't work.

Any experiences?

Like other posters I have lasting damage due to forceps. Because of this I'm having an ELCS this time.

The birth.plan for my first.labour stated I'd rather have a c-section than forceps but this was ignored :( 3.5 years on I almost feel strong enough to ask for my full notes and a debrief.

Sorry op hopefully you'll get some more positive stories! all the best!

I had low forceps. Dd was fine. My episiotomy was rather sore, but they can happen without forceps.

In short, forceps were fine, it was everything leading up to them that left me needing a debrief.

Had forceps with DS. Was OK at the time as I had a spinal block - which after 8 hours of labour on only has and air was bloody lovely! However, either the forceps or the catheter has left me with an irritable bladder. Was horribly incontinent for several months and am now on medication to try and get it settled. Also had a big blood loss after the forceps so was really anaemic and knackered for a while. Sorry, wish I could say something more positive but, in hindsight, I'd have preferred a c-section.

I had the low forceps with ds (dc1l and kiellands forceps with dd (dc2). Recovery from the kiellands was much better, but I do have pretty bad stress incontinence whenever I get a cold now! I won't be having any further births, but if I did, I'd probably opt for an elcs to avoid forceps a third time!

I had low forceps, just to get DS out at the very end as he kept pushing himself back in and wouldn't crown. Was quick and easy, they hardly pulled at all, just stopped him pushing himself back and I did the work. Good recovery, was stitched up well and no issues. It is the long ones I've heard horror stories about.

I had forceps with both of mine. I would describe dd1 as "forceful use" which required me to have a pph and blood transfusion and left her with a headache and having calpol every 4 hours for the first 4 days of life

Dd2, however, was more "gentle forceps", did not leave me broken, and she did not have any lasting side effects.

The dr literally used them to gently guide her out and it was fine. So yes, they can be used without drama

I has Keilland's forceps used in theatre because DD was facing the wrong way and completely stuck.

It was absolutely fine, she came out with one or two pushes. Episiotomy healed just fine and DD didn't have a mark on her.