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2nd Trimester
To those worried about "assistance" in delivery...
A lot of women on this board want a natural child birth, don't want a c/s, would love to avoid an episiotomy, and don't want a vacuum or forceps used. I think that is GREAT, and I sincerely hope that everything goes well and you are all able to have the births that you want.
But...sometimes the assistance is necessary. Of course, there are doctors who use tools more than necessary, but you should have already had that conversation with your doctors about % of births that the c/s, etc.
The post below about rather having a c/s rather than let a doc used forceps is CRAZY to me! By the time forceps would be used, the baby is becoming ozygen deprived and the time to get to a c/s could be the time between brain damage or a healthy baby.
I didn't want any of those things used on my baby, but when every contraction cut off the oxygen supply to DS because of where his umbilical cord was, I was more than willing to let them vacuum the baby out. While no one wants to use these, PLEASE have a somewhat open mind when you go into deliver as you have no idea what is going to happen! Cuts, bruises, and a pointy head are all temporary, and while they suck, there are worse things that can happen.
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Re: To those worried about "assistance" in delivery...
SOOOOO RIGHT!! I'm all for birth plans, but they should be designed to be as flexible as a rubber band!! Remember, your baby hasn't read your birth plan!! Educate yourself on every possible thing that could happen during labor, and most importantly, be open to a fast changing environment! It's amazing how quickly things can happen and change, in just a blink of an eye!!
This is not always true, and in non-emergency situations I think preferring a c/s to a forceps delivery is perfectly valid, for many reasons.
I completly agree! I pushed for 2 hours and my DD was also pushing herself back up because her arm was wedged on my pelvis. My doctor used the vacume on her and I am gratefull that that is all that needed to be done and I didn't have to have a c/s. Yes my DD did come out with a nice little cone head but she also had a huge bruise on her arm from my pelvis. That little cone head was gone in no time and she is completly normal!
I tell all my pg friends to make sure to keep an open mind when thinking about their labor "plan". I think it is nice to have certain wishes in mind but labor can throw you a curve ball and you may need to make some changes. It's easier to keep an open mind than be let down when something doesn't go as you planned.
I agree with the sentiment of what you are trying to say. However if the baby is so oxygen deprived that there isn't even time to get to a c-section then a doc wouldn't even give the option to the patient. Plus, it isn't like the OB has to have the patient's consent before using the tools they need to use. I know from experience that when you're delivering a baby usually the mother comes secondary to the baby. Doc's going to do what he/she's gotta do to get that baby out safely and mom doesn't get much of a say in a dangerous situation.
I ended up with a c-section after my DD turned her head and got stuck. My doc told me he could attempt using forceps but she was far enough up that he would tear me up and couldn't guarantee that he could get to her. He did give me the option though because the baby was doing just fine in there. She was just stuck (turns out she had not only turned her head but had the cord wrapped around her neck twice which was keeping her from descending anymore). She had gotten so far down though that when we did the section a nurse had to stick her hand up my vagina and push DD back up so doc could pull her out of my stomach.
It seems to me to be a sweeping generalization to say that by the time forceps are needed that the baby is in a danger zone.
I spoke with my OB in advance about my strong feelings against using vaccuum extraction especially, but forceps as well. He said he would make note of it, and he could get the baby out via c-section in about two minutes if necessary.
Not all scarring from forceps is temporary, though injury is rare. However, personally I have seen poor outcomes with use of vaccuum extraction (I am a pediatric PT, and I have worked with two children who had permanent brain injury), and I would prefer an emergency c-section. My OB did not seem to think this was unreasonable. Of course, I would defer to him in the case of an emergency. Flexibility is key, as well as trust in your OB.
I totally agree. I didn't plan on or hope that forceps would be needed with DD #1. But, she was a large baby (over 9 pounds) and after 3 hours of trying to push her out I needed some help. I trusted my doctor in what he thought was the best way to handle the situation and he believed that to be by using forceps. He did it skillfully and she wasn't bruised or cut in the process. She had the pointy head but that was likely from so long going through the birth canal and not from the use of forceps.
Birth is unpredictable. You should already have enough faith in your doctor to do what is the right thing at the moment it's necessary (should it become so). I did and I'd make the same decision again in a heart beat.