I have had a lot of people reach my site lately by searching for “vacuum extraction” and “forceps delivery,” so I thought that these issues would be worth addressing.  Both the vacuum extraction and the forceps delivery are methods of manually pulling a baby out of the birth canal when it cannot be pushed out by the mother.

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There are several reasons why a baby may have to be pulled out.  Some of these are:

• the labor has been very long, and the mother is too tired to push
• the mother is in the pushing stage, but the baby becomes distressed and needs to be delivered immediately
• the mother cannot feel and cannot push correctly because of pain medication
• the baby is in the posterior position

The vacuum extractor is the preferred method these days, but the forceps are still used in some cases.  Here are some of the dangers of both methods:

Vacuum Extraction:

• failed delivery resulting in c-section
• brain damage if misplaced
• damage to baby’s scalp
• painful and sometimes severe tearing to the mother’s perineum

Forceps:

• squeezes the baby’s head and can cause misshapen head and brain damage
• spinal cord injury
• bodily injury to mother or baby

So what can you do?  Well, the first thing to remember is that in rare cases, these types of interventions are necessary for the health of the mother and the baby.  In these cases, I think everyone would agree that getting the baby out alive is the most important thing.

However, there are some ways to avoid these interventions, and to take control of your birthing experience:

1. Do exercises to prepare for your birth, and strengthen your muscles.  Kegels are effective, as is slight squatting ( bending at the knees, with feet shoulder width apart, with no weight), and sitting Indian style on the hard floor.  Walk daily for cardiovascular health.  Do these things to strengthen and stretch each day.
2. Birth naturally, without pain medication, IV’s and continuous monitoring.  This way, you can stand and move around, using gravity to help pull the baby down.
3. Wait until you are ready to push.  Pushing when you are told can cause inflammation of the cervix which can make it harder to push the baby out.  Believe me, you will know when it is time to push.  This may not be right when someone checks you and says you are ready.  Take your time and listen to your body.
4. Eat and drink as needed during labor, and stay at home and rest as long as you can, if going to the hospital.  Once you are there you won’t be getting any rest!
5. Get in the correct position for pushing.  The best way is to squat.  Yeah, just like you are using the bathroom in the woods This shortens the birth canal and your pushing time.
6. Believe in yourself.  You can do it!

Click Here to find out more about the Magic of Natural Childbirth.

Remember, this is your baby and your birth.  You will only experience this a few times in your entire life.  Make it and experience that is enjoyable, healthy and safe for you and your baby.  Please feel free to comment or ask questions.  I want to help make this your best pregnancy and birth it can be.