Forceps/vacuum vs. c-section

robbie3982 · May 2009

If you were faced with having to choose between the use of forceps or the vacuum or having an emergency c-section (true emergency where they'd knock you out) which would you pick and why?

DH and I really want a natural birth (as in no pain meds or interventions), but I think in this situation, I'd feel more comfortable with a c-section since priority #1 is getting the baby out safely.

I need to do more research on the risks of each, but I'm wondering what everyone else would pick.

Brittanie_1987 · May 2009

I think that most Dr's are capable of using the foreceps/vacuum correctly, so I would probably go with that. I know a lot of women that have had to use these and everything turned out perfect. It just depends on what you're comfortable with!

eokorie · May 2009

I had a forceps delivery with my first. I didn't think it was a big deal, but maybe that's cause no one else acted like it was. The doctor told me he was gonna use them and they wouldn't hurt the baby and I said go ahead. (really I said, "I don't care!" but that was after a few hours of pushing) It was all of five minutes and baby was fine. I think I'd prefer that over a c-section.

mfc2b4 · May 2009

i would do the forceps/vacuum. like pp, most docs use them correctly, and may still be less risk to baby than the anesethia. I personally would rather spend the first few hours of baby's life with him/her snuggled on my chest instead of in recovery (if i had a choice). c-sections take a long time to heal, so I hear.

TriciaChick · May 2009

I had forceps used when I had my son. It was HORRIBLY painful but my epidural didn't work either. In addition, the doc I had was training someone who had never used them before so it was not a good combination!!

blf722 · May 2009

I'd go the forcep/vacuum route rather than major surgery. But I also believe that the forceps/vacuum method is over used when there is probably another option, like changing mother's position.

beth thacker · May 2009

I would choose forceps/vacuum. I'm not having surgery unless I absolutely have too. When my mom deliverred my brother wayyyy back when they had to use the forceps to get him out and everything was just fine. Everything has it's risk so don't get too worked up over those!

Smellygirl · May 2009

I am terrified of forceps/vacuum. Terrified.

I would definitely choose a c-section over them.

jonsdeedee · May 2009

If it was my doctor who I trust completely, forceps. I don't know what I would do if it was his fill-in doctor.

NDwife07 · May 2009

blf722:
I'd go the forcep/vacuum route rather than major surgery. But I also believe that the forceps/vacuum method is over used when there is probably another option, like changing mother's position.

Exactly this.

lvisser · May 2009

OP - Keep in mind... if you are going drug free and its a true true true emergency. then they will knock you out and you will miss the birth..

Personally, if I had gone drug free I would try the forceps/vacuum over missing the birth.. (as long as the baby would be OK with either choice...)

mrsmel · May 2009

both options scare me. from what i have heard, doctors are no longer taught how to use forcepts. so especially if you have a younger doc, i'd check with them. they may not be trained to do it. and if that's the case, i guess the c section sounds safer.

robbie3982 · May 2009

lvisser:
OP - Keep in mind... if you are going drug free and its a true true true emergency. then they will knock you out and you will miss the birth..

Personally, if I had gone drug free I would try the forceps/vacuum over missing the birth.. (as long as the baby would be OK with either choice...)

I know I'd be completely knocked out and I'd miss the birth, but I guess I'm looking at it as though one option will be safer for the baby instead of baby will be equally safe with either choice. If both have equal risks, I'd be all for the vacuum/forceps. I'm in the process of doing research as we speak.

lvisser · May 2009

robbie3982:
lvisser:
OP - Keep in mind... if you are going drug free and its a true true true emergency. then they will knock you out and you will miss the birth..

Personally, if I had gone drug free I would try the forceps/vacuum over missing the birth.. (as long as the baby would be OK with either choice...)
I know I'd be completely knocked out and I'd miss the birth, but I guess I'm looking at it as though one option will be safer for the baby instead of baby will be equally safe with either choice. If both have equal risks, I'd be all for the vacuum/forceps. I'm in the process of doing research as we speak.

Oh I hear ya... I think that if there was one clear "safer" way to go, that I would for sure go that way...

blf722 · May 2009

robbie3982:
lvisser:

OP - Keep in mind... if you are going drug free and its a true true true emergency. then they will knock you out and you will miss the birth..

Personally, if I had gone drug free I would try the forceps/vacuum over missing the birth.. (as long as the baby would be OK with either choice...)

I know I'd be completely knocked out and I'd miss the birth, but I guess I'm looking at it as though one option will be safer for the baby instead of baby will be equally safe with either choice. If both have equal risks, I'd be all for the vacuum/forceps. I'm in the process of doing research as we speak.

I suggest reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth if you haven't already. I really enjoy the statistics from the births she has attended over the years and that is where I get my idealists views of birth from:) It's an interesting, informative read if nothing else.

b.heather · May 2009

My doc only uses the forceps - he says the vacuum is not as safe. I trust him and would definatley go for forceps at the last minute rather than a c-section. The risks of a c-sections seem much worse to me.

rbidi · May 2009

Smellygirl:

I am terrified of forceps/vacuum. Terrified.

I would definitely choose a c-section over them.

This.

madhatter2003 · May 2009

they were going to use the vacuum to help me with my DD...I was fine with that. But I got her out before they could get it hooked on.

jolis_petits_bijoux · May 2009

NDwife07:

blf722:
I'd go the forcep/vacuum route rather than major surgery. But I also believe that the forceps/vacuum method is over used when there is probably another option, like changing mother's position.

Exactly this.

Me too.

Ultimately I'd say do whatever's best for the baby, but if both options are equal, of course I'd choose to avoid major abdominal surgery.

GypsyEsq · May 2009

It seems to me like a knocked out true emergency c-section or a situation requiring one would not be compatible with a "would you prefer forceps or vacuum choice" but maybe I'm misunderstanding the question. If it's a question of fetel heart decels based on the monitor and wanting to get the baby out and you have a choice of the three then I'd go with forceps. But this assumes that the baby has descended properly, is engaged and is ready to be born but just isn't coming out.

Bluesmoothee · May 2009

If you choose a natural birth that doesn't mean they'll have to use forceps of a vacuum. You know that right?

robbie3982 · May 2009

blf722:
robbie3982:
lvisser:

OP - Keep in mind... if you are going drug free and its a true true true emergency. then they will knock you out and you will miss the birth..

Personally, if I had gone drug free I would try the forceps/vacuum over missing the birth.. (as long as the baby would be OK with either choice...)

I know I'd be completely knocked out and I'd miss the birth, but I guess I'm looking at it as though one option will be safer for the baby instead of baby will be equally safe with either choice. If both have equal risks, I'd be all for the vacuum/forceps. I'm in the process of doing research as we speak.

I suggest reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth if you haven't already. I really enjoy the statistics from the births she has attended over the years and that is where I get my idealists views of birth from:) It's an interesting, informative read if nothing else.

I actually did read it, but I don't remember them giving actual statistics on risks of the interventions. That book made me wish I could give birth on the farm. I really hope that it won't come down to having to make this choice since DH and I would obviously try changing positions and everything that we learned in our Bradley class to help get the baby out, but I want to be prepared so that I'm making as informed of a decision as is possible if we have to.

txbabs111 · May 2009

I would choose vacuum/ forceps because if they knocked me out, I would probably die. I'm allergic to the most common types of anesthesia. But even if that wasn't the case, I would most likely discuss with my Dr. what the best choice for the baby would be. I don't think I can really make the decision without being in the situation.

robbie3982 · May 2009

b.heather:
My doc only uses the forceps - he says the vacuum is not as safe.

Really? The reading I've done so far has all said that vacuum is much safer than forceps.

GypsyEsq · May 2009

robbie3982:
b.heather:
My doc only uses the forceps - he says the vacuum is not as safe.
Really? The reading I've done so far has all said that vacuum is much safer than forceps.

I've definitely heard the same as pp -- forceps, in the hands of an experienced doctor, are preferred to vacuum delivery.

robbie3982 · May 2009

Bluesmoothee:
If you choose a natural birth that doesn't mean they'll have to use forceps of a vacuum. You know that right?

Right. This is only if we end up in a situation where baby needs to come out ASAP.

robbie3982 · May 2009

GypsyEsq:
It seems to me like a knocked out true emergency c-section or a situation requiring one would not be compatible with a "would you prefer forceps or vacuum choice" but maybe I'm misunderstanding the question. If it's a question of fetel heart decels based on the monitor and wanting to get the baby out and you have a choice of the three then I'd go with forceps. But this assumes that the baby has descended properly, is engaged and is ready to be born but just isn't coming out.

The way the Dr. explained it is that we would have to make a split second decision. There wouldn't be time for discussion, hence doing the research and making the decision now.

Clevelander · May 2009

I don't know. Depends on if the baby was stressing. DHs neck is awful because of the use of forceps.

GypsyEsq · May 2009

robbie3982:
GypsyEsq:
It seems to me like a knocked out true emergency c-section or a situation requiring one would not be compatible with a "would you prefer forceps or vacuum choice" but maybe I'm misunderstanding the question. If it's a question of fetel heart decels based on the monitor and wanting to get the baby out and you have a choice of the three then I'd go with forceps. But this assumes that the baby has descended properly, is engaged and is ready to be born but just isn't coming out.
The way the Dr. explained it is that we would have to make a split second decision. There wouldn't be time for discussion, hence doing the research and making the decision now.

That's interesting the way the doctor posed the question. A true emergency just doesn't seem compatible with a choice to me. I mean of those three methods of delivery they all come with very different risks and timelines. The medical literature indicates that of the three vacuum assisted is the "slowest" in the sense that the vacuum has to be placed and often has to be re-placed if/when it slips off. A forceps delivery may require numbing of the perineal area and or an assessment of fetal position so to me, the only option in the event of a true emergency would be a c-section so I guess I'd go with your original choice. (Not to mention if the forceps or vacuum delivery fail then what? You'd end up with a c-section anyway). But again, if the doctor is meaning emergency c-section in the sense that there is no known problem but only an assumed one, like in my example with the decels on the fetal heart rate monitor then I guess you'd have a choice. I'd still go with forceps. But thanks for raising the question. Not something I'd thought that much about and I'll be talking to my doctor about it at my next appt.

robbie3982 · May 2009

GypsyEsq:
robbie3982:
GypsyEsq:
It seems to me like a knocked out true emergency c-section or a situation requiring one would not be compatible with a "would you prefer forceps or vacuum choice" but maybe I'm misunderstanding the question. If it's a question of fetel heart decels based on the monitor and wanting to get the baby out and you have a choice of the three then I'd go with forceps. But this assumes that the baby has descended properly, is engaged and is ready to be born but just isn't coming out.
The way the Dr. explained it is that we would have to make a split second decision. There wouldn't be time for discussion, hence doing the research and making the decision now.
That's interesting the way the doctor posed the question. A true emergency just doesn't seem compatible with a choice to me. I mean of those three methods of delivery they all come with very different risks and timelines. The medical literature indicates that of the three vacuum assisted is the "slowest" in the sense that the vacuum has to be placed and often has to be re-placed if/when it slips off. A forceps delivery may require numbing of the perineal area and or an assessment of fetal position so to me, the only option in the event of a true emergency would be a c-section so I guess I'd go with your original choice. (Not to mention if the forceps or vacuum delivery fail then what? You'd end up with a c-section anyway). But again, if the doctor is meaning emergency c-section in the sense that there is no known problem but only an assumed one, like in my example with the decels on the fetal heart rate monitor then I guess you'd have a choice. I'd still go with forceps. But thanks for raising the question. Not something I'd thought that much about and I'll be talking to my doctor about it at my next appt.

I think it would have to be something more serious than a supposed problem or they'd have time to do a spinal instead of knocking me out. She was clear that she was talking about being gassed for the c-section.

michele75 · May 2009

I wasn't given a choice with my first. Everything was happening so quickly and they had to get him out b/c the cord got wrapped around his neck. They used the vacuum. Regardless, my labor was so much shorter b/c the baby was helped out and I felt great after labor. My son was perfect and just had a little mark on his head that eventually disappeared from where they used it. It wasn't a big deal at all and would definitely do it again over a c-section.

sugar*and*spice · May 2009

id get the c-sec. i dont want my child to end up with cerebral palsy (sp?) or anything like that...id rather be safe than sorry. I am trying to go natural as well.

amieeyoung · May 2014

With my first child, I chose to try the vacuum. In my case it did not work, and I ended up with a C-section after all. I will say that having both sucked, but the vacuum swelling and discomfort disappeared well before the c-section healed.

ncbelle · May 2014

I'm a bit confused by the question. I'm having trouble imagining a scenario where you'd be offered either the "we've got to do a c-section NOW and knock you out" or a mechanically assisted birth. You might find this useful: https://childbirthconnection.org/printerfriendly.asp?ck=10199

I'd also throw out there option #3 - shift positions. Many potentially emergent situations in the pushing phase can be resolved by moving to hands and knees (the Gaskin maneuver) or squatting. I have personal experience with this - my 2nd had a minor shoulder dystocia that was instantly resolved by moving from a semi-seated position to hands and knees. That's a far more difficult thing to do of course if one has an epidural - and something I'd talk to your provider about as not all providers are supportive of alternative birthing positions.

WashingtonQueen · May 2014

@amieeyoung‌ , there was no need to drag up a post from May 2009.

AMcLaws · May 2014

I've heard horror stories about both options. I've had a csection. I'm having another one this time around. For me, it wasn't that big of a deal (recovery wise), so I would choose that.

Justabean3 · May 2014

To me these choices don't correlate.

If they are giving you the option for forceps/vacuum it isn't on the same level to me as a knock you out emergency C.

I had a no choice emergency c section and NOT knocked out. If I was given then option of vacuum or section then I would tell the doctor to do which ever will get baby here safer. If it is at that point I don't feel I am any longer capable of making a safety medical decision.

If they are knocking you out for a cection the option would be past allowing for forceps/vacuum. I guess if you hadn't had an epidural that would be what they would do?

( I had an epidural for labor already, no choice and rushed in...and baby was out in all of 15 minutes and I was still awake)

nikkiuk · May 2014

I am booked in for a C-Section precisely because of the damage inflicted after an induced labor/forceps/vacuum delivery. 4th degree tear, over 35 internal stitches and I've forgotten how many external. The damage wasn't just caused by the forceps and vacuum but a lot of it was. Plus there was no time to do an epidural so the stitching-up was absolutely excruciating. I've lived with uncomfortable, poorly healed scars down there for years (I'm an oldie AMA).

Unfortunately it's not something you can really plan. Things go tits-up sometimes regardless of what choice you make.

Lynnja616 · May 2014

If I was in a situation where I had to choose, I would not let them use a vaccuum of forceps. I honestly would opt for a c-section. Too many horror stories and honestly, I'd rather my recovery suck ass and have ME go through more trauma than my LO.

Mally2011 · May 2014

Don't you think this is a topic that you should discuss with your doctor, not a bunch of strangers over the internet? The reality is that you can't know ahead of time what your birth will be like. The goal of pregnancy and giving birth is to have a healthy baby, not for mom to have the experience of a lifetime. If you find yourself in a situation where they need to get the baby out quickly, the delivering doctor will make an informed recommendation to you based on the situation at hand. You can't always plan for these things ahead of time. And in properly trained hands, the vacuum or forceps (yes, OB/GYN residents ARE trained to use both) can be efficient, safe ways to get out your baby quickly. There are risks to both, but there are also risks involved in a c-section, too.

fsumom · May 2014

I have to agree with @Mally2011

I actually discussed this with my midwife today. She has years of experience and has never been involved in a forceps delivery. She has seen vacuum deliveries but it's been rare in her experience.

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