gynecology and obstetrics
Operative Vaginal Delivery
Introduction
Operative vaginal delivery involves application of forceps or a vacuum extractor to the fetal head to assist during the 2nd stage of labor and facilitate delivery. Indicationsfor forceps delivery and vacuum extraction are essentially the same: Prolonged 2nd stage of labor (from full cervical dilation until delivery of the fetus) Suspicion of fetal compromise (eg, abnormal heart rate pattern) Need to shorten the 2nd stage for maternal benefit—eg, if maternal cardiac dysfunction (eg, left-to-right shunting) or neurologic disorders (eg, spinal cord trauma) contraindicate pushing or maternal exhaustion prevents effective pushing A prolonged 2nd stage is defined as follows ( General references ): In nulliparous women: Lack of continuing progress for 4 hours with a regional anesthetic or 3 hours without a regional anesthetic In multiparous women: Lack of continuing progress for 3 hours with a regional anesthetic or 2 hours without a regional anesthetic Choice of devicedepends largely on user preference and operator experience and varies greatly. These procedures are used when the station of the fetal head is low (2 cm below the maternal ischial spines [station +2] or lower); then, minimal traction or rotation is required to deliver the head. Before starting an operative vaginal delivery, the clinician should do the following: Confirm complete cervical dilation Confirm an engaged fetal vertex at station +2 or lower Confirm rupture of membranes Confirm that fetal position is compatible with operative vaginal delivery Drain the maternal bladder Clinically assess pelvic dimensions (clinical pelvimetry) to determine whether the pelvis is adequate Also required are informed consent, adequate support and personnel, and adequate analgesia or anesthesia. Neonatal care providers should be alerted to the mode of delivery so they can be ready to treat any neonatal complications. Contraindicationsinclude unengaged fetal head, unknown fetal position, and certain fetal disorders such as hemophilia. Vacuum extraction is typically considered contraindicated in preterm pregnancies of<34 weeks because risk of intraventricular hemorrhage is increased. are maternal and Birth Injuries and hemorrhage, particularly if the operator is inexperienced or if candidates are not appropriately chosen. Significant perineal trauma and neonatal bruising are more common with forceps delivery; 