What Is an Assisted Birth? Forceps and Vacuum Delivery Explained

In an assisted vaginal birth, your ob-gyn uses forceps or a vacuum device to help guide your baby out while you keep pushing. In the United States, about 3 in 100 vaginal births are assisted.

Why it may be needed

• Your baby's heart rate during labor is a concern
• Your baby's head has stopped moving down, even after a long time pushing
• You are very tired after a long labor
• A health condition, such as heart disease, means you cannot push safely

Your cervix must be fully dilated and your baby's head must have moved down into your pelvis first. Your ob-gyn also considers your baby's estimated weight and how far down the birth canal they are.

What happens

• Forceps are shaped like two large spoons. Your ob-gyn places them around your baby's head and pulls gently while you push.
• Vacuum: a suction cup with a handle is placed on top of your baby's head. Gentle, controlled pulling helps guide your baby out.

An assisted birth avoids a cesarean, which is major surgery. Recovery is usually shorter, and it can often be done more quickly than a cesarean.

Risks for you

Your risk of injury to the vagina, perineum and anus is slightly higher. In rare cases, this leads to leaking of urine or stool. This may go away on its own, or it can be treated.

Effects on your baby

Injury to the baby is uncommon overall. Possible problems include injuries to the scalp, head or eyes, bleeding inside the skull, and problems with nerves in the arm or face. There is no evidence that an assisted birth affects a child's development.

Afterward

Your perineum may be painful, bruised and swollen for a few weeks, and walking or sitting may be hard for a while. Cold packs, a sitz bath, a squeeze bottle of warm water when you use the toilet, and sitting on a pillow can help.