Forceps & Ventouse Births Forceps and ventouse births (also called vacuum extraction/suction cup) are referred to as ‘assisted’ or ‘instrumental’ births. There are clinical guidelines that UK midwives and doctors use in the maternity services and these identify when it is advisable to assist a woman to birth her baby. For mothers who are [...]
Why did I need a ventouse (vacuum extraction) birth? The ventouse is suction apparatus that is commonly used to assist you in giving birth. It involves placing a small suction cup (made of soft or hard plastic or metal) onto your baby’s head. There are two types of ventouse available: a silastic cup which [...]
Why did I need a forceps birth? A forceps delivery is often performed for the same reasons as a ventouse and particularly when the baby’s head is positioned higher up in the pelvis. Forceps can best be described as two curved smooth metal spoon/salad server-like instruments that are placed either side of your baby’s [...]
