assisted delivery

[CoastieWife13]

At my appointment yesterday, my doctor talked about having an assisted delivery if I am unable to have an epidural due to a medical condition I have.  She mentioned using either a vacuum or forceps. Has anyone had any experience with either of these? It is kind of terrifying me.

[Tinuha]

i just dont get how not being able to have an epidural would make it more likely for you to have an assisted delivery. did they explain their reasoning for it? my understanding is like other ladies have mentioned is if pushing isn't being affective for whatever reason they go in to pull baby out. And from what ive read not having an epidural generally makes you more affective while pushing since you aren't numb and can feel what your doing so i would think with that reasoning you are more likely not to need assistance.  im a ftm so im just going off of what ive read and learnt from my midwife and dr. i would learn more from your dr about their reasoning behind it, i just hope its not to rush the delivery process for their convenience. because those tools should really only be used in emergencies and yes you should know what they are and how they work if you need them but i feel like otherwise you should be able to deliver without assistance.  good luck mama and id suggest asking a few more questions next appointment because its hard to think of them on the spot like that when its not what you were expecting to hear.

[dawnaz93]

My cousin had forceps used with her 1st and appearently someone who was still training or inexperienced and positioned them wrong which tore her all the way into her rectum! And had to have an emergency c section after that. She had to have multiple reconstructive surgeries because of it. Obviously she has a bad story about it, but just make sure your doctor is the one using it if possible

[CoastieWife13]

Thanks everyone! It just wasn't what I was expecting to hear :)

[mrskenny87]

With my first they had to use forceps to get him out quicky as he had got the cord twisted around his neck so was strangling himself. He didn't have any marks or bruises and you'd never have known.

[specialmom]

Good to know!  My doctor joked that the baby heard her getting the vacuum out and rushed out himself.  :>)  You just do what you have to do to get that baby out safely!

[specialmom]

I think the vacuum and forceps are for when the baby is having trouble making it through the birth canal and they decide to do that at the time of the delivery.  With my sons---  especially my first one, I pushed for two hours.  He was being stubborn and the got out the vacuum and then he came without it right before they used it.  They don't love using them but many babies come that way.  I was a forceps baby myself.  Oh well.  I don't think it did too much to me.  

If you don't have an epidural, this all may be uncomfy for you but lots of women make it just fine naturally and you may not even need the vacuum or forceps to get the baby out.  Lots of luck hon.  Try not to worry!

[alid32]

I needed an assisted delivery with my first son- they used a vacuum.  No issues from it. Not even a bruise or scratch.

[kns0622]

My friend had issues, the baby was too big.  They tried the vacuum and it didn't work in her case.  They still had to do a c section,  and the baby had a scabbed and bruised head from the vacuum.

[shysmom87]

Yes i had an epidural and an episiotomy or however you spell and i was having trouble pushing her out so they had to use i think the vacuum, she had a slight scratch on top of her head and that was it.

[wyattsmom2015]

No experience with that. I did not get a epidural with two deliveries and did it unassisted.