Assisted birth: A helping hand
We look at assisted birth – why a ventouse or forceps delivery might be recommended, what happens and how you may feel.
An assisted or instrumental birth is when a ventouse or forceps are used to help a woman give birth. Currently, about one in eight babies in the UK are born with the help of these specially-designed instruments (see box), many of them first babies.
What are ventouse and forceps?
A ventouse (vacuum extractor) is an instrument that is attached to the baby’s head by suction. A soft or hard plastic or metal cup is attached by a tube to a suction device.
Forceps are smooth metal instruments that look like large spoons or tongs. They’re curved to fit around the baby’s head.
Knowing what to expect and understanding why an assisted birth might be recommended can help you feel more confident
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