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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Forceps delivery - any positivity?

33 replies

Nicole237 · 08/02/2026 21:14

Hello! I'm 24 weeks pregnant and so terrified of needing a forceps delivery - particularly needing a episiotomy too! All I've seen are horror stories about bleeding, trauma for the baby and long painful recoveries with no control over your bladder or bowels again! Appreciate it's no one's preference but had anyone had a forceps delivery and not found it as horrific as this? 🙏 seeing statistics that say it's common for 1/3 births for first time mums to end this way so hoping for some slight hope! Thanks

OP posts:

Oblivionnnnn · 08/02/2026 21:15

I had Keillands forceps and was completely fine, as was my baby.

Wonderknicks · 08/02/2026 21:16

It's a very long time ago but recovery was ok (sore for a while, of course). Baby was fine.

Coconutter24 · 08/02/2026 21:17

I had an episiotomy and a ventouse delivery and I was ok after and so was my baby.

Paaseitjes · 08/02/2026 21:20

You can push back and put in your birth plan that you don't want them. Where I live they're banned for being barbaric. We still have lower c-section and mortality rates than the UK, so it is really isn't always necessary. They do use vacuum cups here which cause less damage

lilahpol · 08/02/2026 21:20

My baby was born via forceps and I had an episiotomy after 30 hours of labour as they finally recognised baby was “sunny side up” so was not going to be born naturally. My recovery was great, considering what we’d been through. It was painful to sit down etc for a while but definitely take the paracetamol and ibuprofen when needed. This was 2 years ago and I’ve not had any ongoing issues at all done. Good luck op xx

Bimbley · 08/02/2026 21:23

I had episiotomy & forceps with DC2. Stitches were sore for a week or so but much quicker recovery than EMCS with DC1 (which also wasn't really that bad). Haven't had any long term issues as a result of the episiotomy

hopeful4us · 08/02/2026 21:24

I'm 10 months postpartum following an assisted (forceps) delivery with episiotomy. Assume you're hoping for a natural birth @Nicole237 ? I wanted as little intervention as possible but ultimately DD heart rate dropped. We had an incredible midwife and fantastic doctor who explained (to DH as I was quite delirious!!).

In terms of recovery, I stayed overnight afterwards (DD born at 8.30am) and was surprisingly grateful for this! Stitches healed really well and quite quickly (tmi but I was worried about it being sore while getting intimate but felt comfortable having sex around 9 weeks pp).

Currently trying for another. Would love a natural unmedicated birth but we'll have no qualms having epidural/episiotomy/forceps again if necessary.

BudgetBuster · 08/02/2026 21:26

I had a ventouse delivery with episiotomy. Honestly the only issue with the episiotomy was that it kinda stung for a few days when peeing... but not painful.

I am 2 years poat-partum now almost and I do have a bladder prolapse (so no bladder control like you allude to). However, I really didn't do my pelvic floor exercises like I should have (I was doing it wrong), prolapse is hereditary and I have a long list of women in my family who have suffered and it only occurred in a subsequent pregnancy. So not necessarily anything to do with the delivery method.

Absolutely no issues with the episiotomy healing. Try to remember that an episiotomy is likely much better than a tear!

Nattalot · 08/02/2026 21:34

I was also so terrified of forceps. I was induced and when they said it would be forceps in operating theatre and they would need to turn my babies head, I said no I want a c section. Dr was a bit grumpy with me but midwife completely supported my decision. However now I know what a csection recovery entails I'm not sure I would make the same decision again.

IsThisLifeNow · 08/02/2026 21:35

I was terrified of forceps and the thought of episiotomy, but it wasn't actually that bad. No lasting effects and it was that or a c section.

In fact the worst thing was being told they'd just 'popped a wee painkiller up my bum' that would kick in after the spinal wore off. I was like 'eh, Thank you?'

Make sure you eat plenty of fibre. I needed a c section with my second, big and breech, and the first post birth poo was more traumatic than any other birth related procedure I had!

BudgetBuster · 08/02/2026 21:37

IsThisLifeNow · 08/02/2026 21:35

I was terrified of forceps and the thought of episiotomy, but it wasn't actually that bad. No lasting effects and it was that or a c section.

In fact the worst thing was being told they'd just 'popped a wee painkiller up my bum' that would kick in after the spinal wore off. I was like 'eh, Thank you?'

Make sure you eat plenty of fibre. I needed a c section with my second, big and breech, and the first post birth poo was more traumatic than any other birth related procedure I had!

Oh my... I had forgotten about the bum painkiller 😂😂😂

lilahpol · 08/02/2026 21:38

@Nattaloti feel for you with that! I initially pushed for a c section but when they explained forceps was the
quickest and safest way to get baby out asap we went for it. Although after 30+ hours you just want the baby out!

JuniorMint14 · 08/02/2026 21:40

Another saying that it was fine for me. Painful recovery initially and probably took more like 8-10 weeks than the 3-6 quoted on the NHS website but it healed up really well with no issues. Was afraid of tearing along the scar in my second birth but that didn't happen - in fact I got away with only a mild graze the second time!

Bookwormmumuk · 08/02/2026 21:44

My wee one kept moving around and was back to back so after 42 hours I had an both to see if they could move her or it was going to be an emergency section. It was fine she wasn't stressed only a little bruising that was gone after a week, my stitches were sore for a week or so but painkillers kept it at bay and I was up and about doing stuff. I also had full control of my bladder and bowel and things have healed brilliantly without any complications. I wouldnt get too worried about it at all.

Purplestarballoon · 08/02/2026 21:45

Forceps with my first in theatre after 2 days labour - I just wanted him out. It was a traumatic time but the actual forceps delivery was fine and baby was fine and my recovery was quick and no lasting damage at all. Second was born with no interventions and was great except when I was being stitched up after tearing I wished that I’d had a spinal or at least an epidural as that was painful.

frostydaytoday · 08/02/2026 21:57

My birth plan was really simple and the only thing I had on there was no forceps. When it came down to the actual birth, the baby was distressed and it was last try with forceps before a caesarean. I choose the forceps which and managed to deliver. (I was in threatre ready for the caesarean). Although it’s not what I wanted I am glad I had it as the recovery from a caesarean is much longer

27pilates · 08/02/2026 22:00

I’ve had both ventouse & episiotomy and forceps & episiotomy-both big babies, over 9.5 lbs. They were painful recoveries but no long term issues with bladder /bowel control. Whichever way babies come out is going to involve pain & suffering, but it’s well worth it.

TashieWoo · 08/02/2026 22:01

I had forceps with DD (now 3.5yo) after the ventouse didn’t work. Her heart rate was monitored during delivery by a sensor on her scalp and that was always ok, otherwise I think I would have needed an emergency c-section. I will say that her face was a bit swollen and bruised after delivery which led to early feeding issues and jaundice, but it resolved quite quickly and ultimately no lasting damage. That could have also been because she was facing to the side rather than down. I had an episiotomy and quite a few stitches, it was a bit sore for a week or so afterwards but manageable with paracetamol and ibruprofen.

I was really nervous about forceps during pregnancy but then we learnt more about them in NCT classes and I was reassured and not too worried when the obstetrician wanted to use them. However it wasn’t nice that DD’s little face was bruised. I am now pregnant with DC2, only 7 weeks but already thinking of having an elective c section if there is something in my physiology that makes it difficult to deliver naturally, I have a good few months to think about it though!

best of luck with your pregnancy x

SoManyTshirts · 08/02/2026 22:17

IsThisLifeNow · 08/02/2026 21:35

I was terrified of forceps and the thought of episiotomy, but it wasn't actually that bad. No lasting effects and it was that or a c section.

In fact the worst thing was being told they'd just 'popped a wee painkiller up my bum' that would kick in after the spinal wore off. I was like 'eh, Thank you?'

Make sure you eat plenty of fibre. I needed a c section with my second, big and breech, and the first post birth poo was more traumatic than any other birth related procedure I had!

I had both, and recovery was not that bad with no lasting effects.
The actual experience would have been much better with a painkiller up my bum or indeed any form of anaesthesia. I did feel a bit traumatised until the more normal (no forceps, more pethedine) delivery of DC2 a couple of years later.

Shoemadlady · 08/02/2026 22:19

I had an episiotomy and forceps and it was fine. I was so worried about being cut but when they did all I felt was relief as the amount of pressure was gone. Honestly don’t worry, you’ll be absolutely fine x

JG24 · 08/02/2026 22:19

My baby was absolutely fine

modgepodge · 08/02/2026 22:28

keilland forceps and episiotomy on my first birth. Not ideal but I healed fine. Baby was a bit bruised but that could have been partly due to the fact she got stuck on my pelvis - though the large spoon shaped mark on her face was definitely the forceps. Faded within days though!

I actually had more pain and trouble recovering from my second delivery which was not forceps, just a small episiotomy.

justmyluck1234 · 08/02/2026 22:39

I had a forceps delivery with my first, ended in a 3rd degree tear. Baby was completely fine, I was a little sore but all healed fine.

heydoubleyou · 09/02/2026 12:00

I was also really worried, and adamant that I wasn't going to have an epidural or a forceps delivery. After 30+ hours of labour, she needed to come out quickly and would have had to have been pushed back up for a C-Section, so I chose the forceps and episiotomy.

Having the epidural after having had just gas and air was a real relief, I felt very calm during the procedure and it was very smooth and swift.

I had no other tearing, and it was sore for a while, getting in and out of bed etc. I was concerned about keeping the stitches clean, but it was absolutely fine and not at all terrifying! Baby had a bruise, but nothing awful and I healed up perfectly, no noticeable scar.

I had a really clear, low intervention birth plan, but my fat baby had other ideas, and while it wasn't what I imagined, it was also totally fine!

Justbecauseyoucandoesntmeanyoushould · 09/02/2026 12:11

My first was a forceps delivery due to baby becoming distressed after a long labour and it was all fine. Obstetrician delivered my baby with no episiotomy and no tearing. Baby's head was a normal shape and only a tiny bruise on one cheek.

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