Forceps delivery for non-rotational and rotational Operative Vaginal Delivery

Publication date: Available online 11 February 2019Source: Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & GynaecologyAuthor(s): Mairead Black, Deirdre J. MurphyAbstractForceps are a commonly used instrument for assisting vaginal birth. Accepted indications include prolonged labour, suspected fetal distress, and maternal medical conditions that benefit from a shortened second stage of labour. Maternal and offspring outcomes of forceps-assisted birth have been extensively reported in observational studies, but randomized trial evidence is limited. Forceps assisted delivery has a lower failure rate than vacuum-assisted delivery but is associated with a higher incidence of maternal pelvic floor trauma. Second stage caesarean section is associated with less fetal-neonatal trauma than forceps delivery but markedly reduces the chance of a subsequent vaginal birth. This review outlines the existing evidence on prevention, indications and contraindications for forceps-assisted birth (non-rotational and rotational), short and long-term complications for mother and baby, alternatives to use of forceps and how to manage an abandoned forceps-assisted birth. The essential components of informed consent are also discussed.
Source: Best Practice and Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research