This document discusses vacuum-assisted (ventouse) and forceps delivery. It provides indications for both, including maternal exhaustion or fetal distress. It describes the steps for applying ventouse or forceps, noting key points like fully dilated cervix and fetal position. Complications are discussed for both mother and baby, such as vaginal lacerations, scalp injuries, retinal hemorrhages, and rarely intracranial hemorrhage. Forceps are generally more traumatic with higher risks of soft tissue trauma, bleeding, and pain compared to ventouse. The document provides a guide for healthcare professionals on performing assisted vaginal deliveries safely and minimizing complications.

1. Ventose and Forceps delivery
Dr Sarita Thakur

2. Vacuum /ventouse

3. Indications
MATERNAL
Exhaustion
Prolonged second stage
Cardiac / pulmonary disease
FETAL
Failure of the fetal head to rotate
Fetal distress
Should not be used for preterm, face presentation or
breech

4. MNEMONIC
A – Anesthesia adequate
appropriate positioning & access
B – Bladder cathterization
C – Cervix fully dilated / membranes ruptured
D – Determine position, station, pelvic adequacy

5. E – Equipment inspect vacuum cup, pump, tubing,
check pressure

6. F – Fontanelle position the cup over the posterior fontan
-ve pressure ↑
10 cm H2O initially & between cont
sweep finger around cup to clear maternal tissue
↑
pressure to 60 cm H2O with the next contraction

7. G – Gentle traction pull with contractions only
t
raction in the axis of the births canal
ask the mother to push during cont

8. H – Halt halt traction if no progress with three traction
aided contractions
vacuum pops off three times
pulling for 30 min without significant progress

9. I – Incision consider episiotomy if laceration
imminent
J – Jaw remove vacuum when jaw is reachable
or delivery assured

10. Steps of ventose application

11. 11

12. Complications
Vacuum –assisted delivery is less traumatic to the mother &
fetus than forceps
Ventouse should be the instrument of choice
Maternal Vaginal laceration due to entrapment of vaginal
mucosa between suction cup & fetal head

13. Fetal complications
Scalp injuries chignon
abrasion & lacerations 12.6%
s
c
alp necrosis 0.25-1.8%
Cephalohematoma 25% jaundice /anemia
Intracranial hemorrhage 2.5%
Subgaleal hematoma

14. Fetal complications
Birth asphyxia 2.6-12% related to extraction
force & time
Some studies showed decrease birth asphyxia
Retinal hemorrhage 50%
Forceps 31%
SVD 19%
Neonatal jaundice

15. FORCEPS

16. Indications
MATERNAL
Exhaustion
Prolonged second stage
Cardiac / pulmonary disease
FETAL
Failure of the fetal head to rotate
Fetal distress
Control of the fetal head in vaginal beech delivery

17. Classification of forceps delivery
Outlet forceps Scalp visible at the vulva without
separating the labia
Low forceps Vertex at +2 station
Midforceps Head is engaged but leading part
above +2 station
Sagittal suture not in the AP plane
of the mother

18. Classification Of Forceps Delivery
Outlet Wrigley’s
Outlet & low forceps Simpson /Elliot
Midforceps & outlet Tucker Mclane
Midforceps & rotation Kielland
After coming head in breech Piper

19. After coming head in breech Piper

20. MNEMONIC
A – Anesthesia adequate /epidural or pudendal
appropriate positioning & access
B – Bladder cathterization
C – Cervix fully dilated / membranes ruptured
D – Determine position, station, pelvic adequacy
E – Equipment complete working forceps
anesthesia support

21. F – Forceps phantom application
L
tblade , LT hand, maternal Lt side pencil grip &
vertical insertion with Rt thumb directing blade
Rt blade , RT hand, maternal Rt side pencil grip &
vertical insertion with Lt thumb directing blade
Lock blades

22. Check application:
➢Post fontanelle 1cm above the plane of the shanks
➢Sagittal suture lies in the midline of the shanks /perpindicular
to the plane of the shanks
➢The operator can not place more than a fingertip between the
fenestration of the blade & the fetal head on either side

23. G – Gentle traction applied with contraction & maternal
expulsive efforts
H – Handle elevated traction in the axis of the birth canal
do not elevate handle to early

24. consider episiotomy if laceration
I – Incision
imminent
J – Jaw remove forceps when jaw is reachable
or delivery assured

25. Complications
Maternal trauma to soft tissue 3r
d
/4t
hdegree
double the risk compared to ventouse
bleeding from lacerations
trauma to urethra & bladder fistula
Pain17% ventouse 11%

26. Complications
Fetal bruising & laceration to the face
Vent 25%
Vent 50%
Injury to the fetal scalp
cephalohematoma 9%
retinal hemorrhage 30%
skull fracture
permanent nerve damage / Facial nerve